Skopje, 7 November 2024 (MIA) - Opposition SDSM urged the Government on Thursday to schedule snap elections if ready, to which the Government responded that an early vote is an added expense.

SDSM spokeswoman Bogdanka Kuzeska told a press conference that the party is prepared for elections.

"(PM) Mickoski's statements have varied in recent days. In one, he called for early elections but yesterday he retracted from that statement. We are ready for elections and if the authorities are ready too, they should make this step," said Kuzeska.

The Government confirmed today what Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said yesterday that early elections at this given time are an added expense for the country.

"The Government remains on the position that early elections should not take place in parallel with the local elections in October of next year," Spokeswoman Marija Miteva told a press conference.

PM Mickoski told reporters yesterday that VMRO-DPMNE is ready for elections but questioned the need to spend EUR 10 million of taxpayers' money for elections, since the system and reforms would be in standstill so that "SDSM faces another big defeat".

"I think it will even be bigger than the one six months ago. Or do we choose an option of working for four years and roll up our sleeves for the well-being of citizens. I would choose the latter. That is why I said the term of this government is four years. Are we ready? We are ready if the elections were held tomorrow, but we make decisions in the citizens' interest, not in the interest of showmen," said Mickoski.

The PM opened the issue of early elections at a recent Q&A session in Parliament, when he told SDSM leader Venko Filipche that the opposition party might regret going to elections.

"If you want elections, let's go, we can do this in parallel with the local polls. Let's agree on this now. But you might drown in the deep where you are being taken," said Mickoski.

MIA file photo