Skopje, 26 February 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Wednesday he is considering change of the national emblem, but is absolutely not considering change of the Macedonian anthem, nor, as he said, does it occur to him to enter into such a discussion.

"The anthem is defined in the law, there is a law on the flag, the emblem, the anthem. It is defined by law, which is systemic and requires a two-thirds majority. It is also defined by its lyrics. Whether someone decides, as you say, to perform the anthem with the lyrics or without the lyrics, is practically a decision of the organizer. I have often attended events where only the melody is performed, but changing the lyrics... it does not occur to me to enter into any discussion about changing the lyrics of the anthem," Mickoski told Alsat TV. 

Mickoski said the topic has not been discussed among the coalition partners, adding that he will neither enter into any debate over a change of the lyrics of the national anthem.  

The PM pointed out that the national anthem reflects the historical genesis of the creation of the state, adding that it is very wrong to view things as if the anthem does not reflect multiethnicity.

"I would say the same to the coalition partners if they asked me about this topic. The bottom line is that this state was created on the basis of certain processes that took place in the past, which are recounted in the lyrics of the anthem, and with that lyrics we express respect for those processes, not because of ethnicity, but because those processes and that sacrifice in those processes created this state," said Mickoski. 

As regards change of the national emblem and whether there is such an initiative, Mickoski said that if there is, the public will know, it will enter Parliament.

President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova also spoke against a change of the national anthem. According to her, there is no need to change the national anthem. 

"I absolutely think there is no need to change the anthem. The anthem never reflects the present, it always reflects historical memory, genesis," the President told reporters last week. 

Photo: MIA archive