Skopje, 23 October 2025 (MIA) – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in his October 23 address at Thursday’s formal academy said the October 19 first round of this year’s local elections showed the people have hopes they will not let down. He told the opposition party SDSM to consolidate and consider whether they should dare to compete in early elections. As for DUI, the prime minister said the people and Albanians send them a message they’ve had enough with ethnic issues being misused for personal interests and to get richer.

Bilal Kasami, said Mickoski, has to understand that I’m always ready to unite in these elections and to support values rather than to be divided over ethnic issues through the prism of chauvinism and ethnically produced differences.

“The first-round elections, seen through the number of mayoral and councillor seats won, reaffirmed the dominant role and support of VMRO-DPMNE. This also shows the people have hopes and expectations we won’t let down. On the other hand, our opposition, which suffered a crushing defeat, has been acting courageously even making calculations over MP seats,” said Mickoski.

With its unrealistic calculations, said the prime minister, the opposition are irritating the people all the while being knocked down by the people in the elections.

According to him, SDSM hasn’t learned its lesson, which shows it underestimates its people and voters

This wave of great support and the vast difference with the rivals is a huge responsibility, Mickoski said. “We’ll work in justifying their trust.”

“We give SDSM time to consolidate and to consider competing in early parliamentary elections, which I don’t wish for. I think it is unnecessary and it’s time for an offensive in every way. Their marry calculations should get the adequate response. Be careful what you wish for – it may come true,” said Mickoski.

The elections also sent a message to their coalition partner – DUI.

“DUI received a message from the people and the Albanians that they had enough with ethnic issues being misused for personal interests and for getting ricker. This result came because they failed to understand that the people is tired of waiting for a better life while they were dealing with eagles, crows and hares – a life the citizens have been waiting for 20 years from this party. I heard their demand for early parliamentary elections. They hope for it evidently to prevent the downfall they are experiencing,” Mickoski said in his address.

All those who hope they will get something in politics with ethnocentric issues, they should learn the lesson from DUI’s downfall.

“It’s also a good lesson for some politicians in the Macedonian political scene that have to understand that in order to be coalition partners, we should be prepared to unite and support values rather than to be divided over ethnic issues. If so, I see absolutely no difference between them and Ali from Zajas, who they wish to replace,” said Mickoski.

The prime minister said that people should not be treated as a contingent of votes that can be directed by one person.

“This is wrong. People should be treated as human beings with destinies who want a better life and who should vote according to their own convictions. I want to say that none of us has the votes in our pocket and that support should be built by uniting around values, and not through the prism of ethnicity and differences. I consider anything different from this to be wrong. In that context, they should accept that they became mayor with the will and support of the Macedonians, which shouldn’t be betrayed. Every step has an action and reaction, and I will always behave in the way that is best for the citizens and the state,” concluded Mickoski in his address at the Macedonian National Theater.

Photo: MIA