Skopje, 27 March 2024 (MIA) – VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski presented the party’s economic program at a meeting Wednesday with the President of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, Branko Azeski.

At a joint press conference after the meeting, Azeski reiterated the demands of the business community and said the business community had been fooled by the promises of the political elites in many previous elections, and, he said, this won’t be allowed to happen anymore. “If it is necessary,” he said, “we will also react to the international community, to the EU and the US.”

As part of its economic program, VMRO-DPMNE promised a reduction of the 10% flat tax to 8%; a fight against the informal economy, crime and corruption; as well as a revision of the work of the Public Revenue Office and the Fund for Innovations. Party leader Mickoski said they don’t foresee a reduction of VAT, and announced their plans to introduce a profit tax of up to 5% on multinational companies that consolidate profits in the country.

At the press conference, Mickoski reiterated that the party intends to reorganize the structure of the government.

“First we need a coalition agreement. We won’t seek to form a government at any price. We need to have a clear coalition agreement with the priorities of the future government, not only political but also in the field of economy, the fight against crime and corruption as well. Once we do that, we can discuss everything else. These priorities also include a reorganization of the structure of the government. The same structure has been in place for more than two decades, while the global dynamic is a bit different. If we want to follow that dynamic, then we also have to adapt. Otherwise, we won’t achieve results,” Mickoski said.

Asked if VMRO-DPMNE intends to have a representative of the business sector as a deputy prime minister in a potential future government, Mickoski said their focus now is on the campaign.

Apart from with VMRO-DPMNE, the Economic Chamber will also hold meetings with representatives of other political parties participating in the elections, in order to hear their economic programs.

Photo: MIA