Skopje, 28 August 2025 (MIA) -- Former foreign minister and DUI's candidate for mayor of Chair Bujar Osmani responded to Prime Minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski statement earlier Thursday that his party was certain to win the local elections by a landslide and that the opposition needed to become constructive.

Osmani told reporters that Mickoski's public appearances were contrary to the private messages sent by VMRO-DPMNE asking for warmer relations with DUI.

The ruling political party then responded to Osmani recalling that DUI's team of negotiators had placed "a blank piece of paper in front of VMRO-DPMNE ready to fulfill any request as long as they stayed in the government."

In its press release, VMRO-DPMNE said they would win the citizens' trust in the upcoming local elections because "people can tell the difference."

Earlier Thursday, as part of his mayoral campaign, Osmani presented his vision to Chair teachers about his plans of radically reforming education to include free school meals, uniforms and backpacks; mental health support; trained assistants for children with disabilities; various extracurricural activities; better sports facilities; a ban for mobile phones at school; and financial stimulation for creative teachers.

With him as mayor, Chair would prioritize education, Osmani said.

"No boulevard, no building is more important than giving every child the chance of a decent childhood and high quality education. This is at the heart of my vision for Chair: a modern, inclusive and safe municipality," he said. mr/