Skopje, 24 July 2025 (MIA) - Vlen, the junior government coalition partner, will nominate a candidate to run for mayor of the capital Skopje, it will endorse the independent candidate Mendi Qyra in Struga and analyses and talks involving candidates for mayors of other municipalities are due to be completed. Names of the candidates are expected to be revealed next week, Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister Izet Mexhiti said Thursday.

Asked whether his nomination for mayor of Skopje's Chair municipality will be made official next week, Mexhiti briefly told reporters that all candidates are due to be made official.

On whether his coalition will join forces with the ruling VMRO-DPMNE in several municipalities, Mexhiti said it is nothing new.

"It's nothing new. Since the 1990s in pluralism, government partners have always helped each other out. I expect the opposition, including DUI, Levica, SDSM, to also help each other," Mexhiti stated after the signing of agreements on projects funded by the Environment Ministry's investment programs on sewage system, water supply system and the water program with the municipalities.

MIA file photo