Skopje, 30 June 2023 (MIA) – SDSM’s position remains unchanged, VMRO-DPMNE had, and still has the option of elections. They should be given space in order to join the working groups and define the details. There are certain details that must be agreed on an operational level so that we can begin this important process, since this isn’t just a vote for the constitutional amendments, but also a vote for the European future of the country, in a context in which, like never before, the country has clear and unequivocal support from EU members and its largest strategic partners, France, Germany and the United States, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski on Friday. 

The PM said he isn’t surprised by, he said, “the latest and only option offered by the leader of VMRO-DPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski last night” – the holding of early parliamentary elections.

“I watched a part of Mickoski’s interview. I didn’t find his position surprising since it comes after his visit to Brussels. He probably presented his options there as well, which they also received as a proposal at the leaders’ meeting. After his meetings in Brussels, there is no longer any talk about delayed application of the amendments until the country’s EU accession, because the representatives of the institutions in Brussels would have informed him that the European proposal has been adopted by 27 member states, and it outlines tasks for the EU, the EU Council and institutions and for us. And we all stick to the obligations from the adopted negotiating framework,” said the Prime Minister, in answer to a journalist’s question at a press conference.

According to the PM, all of VMRO-DPMNE’s publicly expressed demands were accepted at the leaders’ meeting.

“VMRO-DPMNE had, and still has the option of early elections, that is – we should adopt the constitutional amendments and then we will immediately go to elections. The second option is to open the Constitution, VMRO-DPMNE to enter the Government, DUI to leave the Government, in order to conclude the amendments and the screening process, close at least one or two chapters of negotiations and then hold elections,” said Kovachevski.

The PM recalled that at the press conference after the meeting, VMRO-DPMNE publicly said they don’t oppose the inclusion of other peoples within the Preamble of the Constitution, and that “it recognizes the legitimacy of this parliamentary composition and Government.”

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