Skopje, 14 May 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told journalists Wednesday the ruling coalition would nominate new names in the coming period to fill the vacant posts following Health Minister Arben Taravari’s bloc of the Alliance for Albanians chose to leave the Government.

“At the regular executive committee last night we spoke about the current economic and political situation in the country, I expect to present proposals for candidates for mayors to the executive committee by the end of the month, this will then move to the central committee. The members of the executive committee authorized me to nominate new names in the period to come which will replace those who decided to move to Ali Ahmeti and DUI’s embrace, i.e., those from Arben Taravari’s party,” Mickoski said.

Quizzed whether the vacant posts will be held by VLEN or be split, Mickoski said things will become clearer in the coming period and urged patience.

After Alliance for Albanians leader Arben Taravari announced Monday evening the party's decision to leave the ruling coalition, VMRO-DPMNE's executive committee held a meeting Tuesday evening and authorized Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski to propose candidates for the top government posts so far filled by AA members. 

According to a party press release, VMRO-DPMNE members saw "this move by Taravari as yet another proof" that his party was joining the ranks of "crime and corruption defenders." 

"Another mask has dropped," the party said. "Another illusion has been shattered. The political scene has a new, well coordinated puppet quartet: SDS, Alliance, DUI and Levica — different names, but the same boss. Different masks, same screenwriter." 

DUI, the VMRO-DPMNE release goes on to say, "had invested for years into creating fake political competition" including SDSM and AA. "It is sad that these very political keychains are best in the role of servile helpers — no attitude, no vision, no dignity. But let's make it clear: The country is not going down the drain. We are recovering it."

Also, according to the ruling party, the opposition parties "feel hurt that there is no more pardoning, no more racketeering, no more bid rigging" and "that justice is finally knocking on their door."

Photo: MIA