Skopje, 14 January 2026 (MIA) - Prime Minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski will host Wednesday a meeting with the leaders of the parliamentary parties to discuss reforms in the judiciary, the election of an ombudsman, the Electoral Code, the scrapping of the caretaker government model, as well as other issues raised by those participating in the meeting.

Of the opposition parties in Parliament, Levica and DUI will attend the meeting. The parties will be represented by their leaders, Dimitar Apasiev and Ali Ahmeti, respectively. SDSM’s leader Venko Filipche immediately rejected the invitation after it was put forward by the prime minister.

Of the government coalition partners, ZNAM leader and Kumanovo Mayor Maksim Dimitrievski will also be attendance alongside Vlen’s Bilal Kasami, who is also the mayor of Tetovo. 

At a press conference on Tuesday, Vlen whip Bekim Qoku confirmed the coalition would be represented by Bilall Kasami. Qoku also said Vlen backs the idea to scrap the caretaker government model, adding it does not befit a country negotiating to join the European Union.

"We believe such a caretaker government is no longer needed, because it was agreed upon when the country was in crisis, and this is not the case anymore. We proved this as a government by administering the recent local elections, considering that the caretaker government was composed to have credible, fair and democratic elections," said Qoku.

DUI decided at a meeting earlier Tuesday that its leader Ali Ahmeti will attend the leaders meeting, scheduled for Wednesday. 

According to DUI spokeswoman Arta Zendeli Bilalli, participants in the two-and-a-half-hour party meeting reached a unanimous decision that the party leader should represent the party at the leaders meeting.

Levica also said it would support the scrapping of the model, but only if a single election district is introduced.

LDP and DOM welcomed the holding of a leaders’ meeting, with LDP expressing its readiness to attend the meeting not only to scrap the caretaker government but also to address key issues that directly affect the lives of the citizens.

DOM welcomed the opportunity for dialogue on important reforms and processes that should strengthen the country and democracy. The party called for the meeting to also discuss the introduction of a single electoral district, as well as open lists without thresholds.  

In an interview on January 7, Prime Minister Mickoski said he would invite the leaders of other political parties to a meeting that would focus on reaching a consensus on reforms and the scrapping of the caretaker government. He said the agenda could be expanded by the other participants in the meeting.

SDSM leader Venko Filipche on January 8 rejected the invitation for a leaders’ meeting, saying Mickoski “is looking for an alibi to call early elections.” He insisted that caretaker government as a model should remain because it guarantees fair elections. 

MIA file photo