Skopje, 2 March 2024 (MIA) - Elections are ahead, VMRO-DPMNE and its coalition partners have worked hard over the past four years, proving they are the only European option. The elections will bring new times. If we show that we can live and work in a European way through reforms, then we will have self-respect. This is the way for us to become true Europeans, said presidential candidate Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova in her address at the VMRO-DPMNE convention for promotion of her candidacy on Saturday.

The convention includes 453 out of the 476 party delegates, who will vote for Siljanovska-Davkova as the only candidate for president.

Siljanovska-Davkova, a current MP and professor of constitutional law and political system at the Faculty of Law within the Skopje-based University Ss.Cyril and Methodius, said she sees Macedonia as the "most beautiful, brave, educated, cultured woman".

"I believe the president should follow this example but never forget about competence and professionalism," she added.

Siljanovska-Davkova said the country needs Scandinavian-type of behaviour, individual freedoms and rights without which there is no democracy, extended competencies of the Constitutional Court, guaranteeing the inalienability of the natural resources and waters, removing the 40-percent turnout threshold in the presidential runoff, specifying the President's competencies, especially in regard to pardons, etc.

"The president must be non-partisan, represent the country domestically and internationally, never forgetting that he/she is there because of the state and national interests, and not his/her career and fame. The president must be a unifying person, proactive not reactive, be governed by the Copenhagen criteria, represent everyone regardless of ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, status, be respected and to respect, to educate, to be proud, to respect cooperation and peaceful settlement of disputes, because if he/she fails to defend neighbors, they will not defend him/her either," noted Siljanovska-Davkova.

According to her, the head of state must protect the most vulnerable groups, address the public on every important issue, have a small but professional office that inspires, include all groups while considering competence and professionalism, first and foremost.

Photo: MIA