Radovish, 24 March 2025 (MIA) — Protests are a democratic way of expressing people's legitimate anger but "political rodents and vultures who don't want a strong VMRO-DPMNE government although it is the last bulwark against the destruction of Macedonia as a state" cannot be excused, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Monday when asked to comment on citizens' protests nationwide after the Kochani tragedy.

"We are all unhappy with everything going on," Mickoski said, adding that the government was solving problems.

"And we will continue to solve them. Many things have been solved in the past nine months," he said, adding that his government "has not allowed the humiliation, plundering, and national destruction of Macedonia to continue."

"This is why some political rodents have a problem with us and saw a chance to score political points through these protests," Mickoski said.

He said he supported people's right to express their revolt and anger because there were many problems remaining to be solved. "But we will fight to the last atom of energy we have to right some wrongs in the name of future generations," the prime minister said.

"Nothing can be done overnight," he said, adding that his government had achieved a lot. "We defeated several mafia associations that, unfortunately, operated in the country," Mickoski said.

"We will continue in the coming period," he said, pointing out that everyone should "remain focused and committed to solving problems." mr/