Skopje, 14 January 2026 (MIA) - The ZNAM Movement welcomes Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s initiative for a leaders’ meeting, as a responsible and statesmanlike step toward stability, dialogue, and political maturity at key moments for the country, said ZNAM’s MP Boban Karapejovski in a statement after Wednesday’s leaders’ meeting. He said ZNAM backs the idea to scrap the caretaker government, as well as amendments to the Electoral Code and the introduction of a single electoral district.

Karapejovski said important decisions in the interest of the country lie ahead, with the current approach demonstrating that the institutions and political stakeholders are ready to place the country and the citizens above partisan calculations.

“We see the leaders’ meeting as an opportunity for all relevant political factors to show maturity, responsibility, and real care for the future of Macedonia,” Karapejovski stressed.

The MP said ZNAM’s position on the Przhino-style caretaker government is clear, and it should be scrapped.

“The caretaker government was introduced as a temporary solution at a specific political context and with a clear goal – ensuring democratic, fair, and free elections at a time of political crisis. That goal was realized a long time ago and several successful elections are behind us, including the last local elections in 2025,” Karapejovski said.

He said ZNAM is in favor of meaningful and just reform of the Electoral Code.

“We find it acceptable and necessary to have a new solution with a single electoral district that will ensure greater equality of the votes of all citizens and a fairer political representation. We believe that the financing of political parties must be regulated clearly and precisely, especially those that are represented in Parliament through parliamentary groups to ensure transparency,” Karapejovski said.

Karapejovski stressed that ZNAM supports all reforms in the judiciary as well as all laws from the Reform Agenda, noting that the reforms are key for ensuring the rule of law.

Regarding the selection of a new ombudsman, ZNAM’s position is that it must be someone with high professional credibility, proven experience and expertise in the field of human rights. Karapejovski said the selection must happen as soon as possible to avoid blocking the work of the institution.

The MP added that ZNAM backs the implementation of Safe City and urged a swifter adoption of the legislation related to it.

Quizzed why the leader of ZNAM, Maksim Dimitrievski, did not attend the meeting, Karapejovski said Dimitrievski had previously scheduled meetings outside the country. 

Photo: MIA