Skopje, 28 May 2026 (MIA) – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said that, regarding the implementation of the Reform Agenda, everything due by June 30 could be completed within the grace period. Speaking at a Q&A session in Parliament on Thursday, he added that in the June report the country could position itself as a true frontrunner, emphasizing the importance of delivering as many reforms as possible for both citizens and the state.

“Government’s strategy includes an ambitious agenda aimed at implementing domestic reforms, the Reform Agenda, and an Action Plan, as well as issues related to minorities. Internal matters should be completed as part of the country’s own responsibilities, while rejecting what he described as opposition-driven demands for unconditional constitutional amendments,” Mickoski said.

In the field of energy, PM Mickoski said that several important steps and reforms are underway, adding that a solution has been found even for parts that were previously considered difficult or impossible to deliver. He stated that there will be no 30% increase in electricity prices for citizens, and that under the new model a reduction of 5% to 10% is possible.

“In talks with the European Commission a relative compromise has been reached regarding amendments to the Energy Law. The government would further specify that the state-owned company ESM will not supply more than 70% of the electricity volumes required by the supplier, starting from January 1, 2027. EVN Home conducts an annual tender covering the period from January 1 to December 31, making it impossible to intervene mid-contract, which is why the changes are set to take effect from 2027. The created energy portfolio, if properly optimized, would not lead to price increases and could even result in lower electricity prices. The goal is to offer a final price for 2027 that would ultimately lead to a 5% to 10% reduction in electricity prices for citizens,” he noted.

He explained that electricity consumption for citizens is divided into two parts. The first covers the heating season from October 15 to April 15, 24 hours a day, as well as nighttime hours during the period from April 15 to October 15.

The second segment covers daytime consumption from April 15 to October 15, when solar radiation is strongest and solar panels produce the most electricity, making it cheaper than electricity used during nighttime hours.

“We have developed a creative model that can be applied in practice, which he said will not only fulfill the necessary step but also secure a 5% to 10% reduction in electricity prices for households. The electricity from solar and photovoltaic plants can at times reach negative prices during the day, meaning producers are effectively paying for their energy to be purchased,” he said. According to Mickoski, this creates a win-win situation that both fulfills regulatory requirements and reduces electricity prices for citizens.

Mickoski said that most measures under the Reform Agenda are nearing completion, while the only remaining key issue is the Electoral Code, which he said depends on the opposition.

He explained that cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice, and the European Commission, including Gert Jan Koopman and his team, has largely closed outstanding matters, particularly regarding collateral regulation. He added that transport sector reforms involving restructuring of Macedonian Railways Infrastructure and Transport and the Postal Service are mostly agreed, while in the area of digital transformation linked to gigabit infrastructure, guidance has been received and legal amendments are expected to reach Parliament soon.

He further stated that procedures related to the Agency for the Confiscation of Illegally Acquired Property are also being finalized, with a public call already issued and formal hiring procedures remaining.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the only remaining major measure is the Electoral Code, which depends on MPs and the opposition, adding that completing it would allow the country to reach “9.5 out of 10” in implementation, which he described as a record result.

Mickoski also noted that the process for the Agency for the Confiscation of Illegally Acquired Property is being finalized, with recruitment procedures underway. He said that the Electoral Code remains the only important law still pending, noting that it depends on MPs. “And there is one very important law - the Electoral Code, which depends on the MPs, but considering the situation with the opposition, if that is practically completed, we will pass that measure as well, so from 10 we can reach 9.5,” he said.

He added that this would represent a record achievement that, according to him, has not been accomplished before, speaking in response to a question from MP Petar Markov.

Photo: MIA archive