Skopje, 11 January 2022 (MIA) – Prime Minister-designate Dimitar Kovachevski, who was elected SDSM leader in December, handed over Tuesday a proposal on the formation of a new government and a draft-government program to Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi. Speaking at a news conference late on Monday after the sessions of SDSM’s executive and central boards, Kovachevski unveiled the names of the ministerial nominations. The new government will include candidates nominated by SDSM and its coalition partners, DUI, LDP and Alternativa. “The government program is a continuity of the legitimacy ensured in the 2020 elections and also includes the economic commitments of the new coalition partner Alternativa, as well as new program goals stemming from the new challenges facing this government,” he said presenting the government proposal. Kovachevski pledged that solving the energy crisis is a top priority of the energy crisis, which is also gripping Europe. “Our second priority is to maintain the living standards of the citizens and the companies in the wake of the economic crisis, caused by the energy crisis, and the third one is to meet the objectives as regards major infrastructural projects approved under the 2022 budget,” he said in a speech. Asked about the country’s EU integration commitment, the PM-designate stressed it remains a top priority of the government as well. “EU is our strategic goal and we deserve to be approved opening of negotiations with the EU,” Kovachevski said, adding that the Open Balkan regional cooperation initiative is also included in the government program. “The challenge we have with the Republic of Bulgaria is also noted in the program and only through dialogue focused on the future we can find a mutually acceptable solution.