Mickoski: All those working against principles of multiethnicity to be dismissed
Skopje, 2 November 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said late on Sunday that the low turnout in the Skopje municipalities of Saraj and Chair did not mean their coalition partner Vlen boycotted their candidates, noting this was "probably a decision made by voters".
"I do not think our coalition partner boycotted us. No one keeps votes in their pocket. What we saw from the leadership of our coalition partner between the two rounds in Skopje was a sincere commitment for the now-Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski. It is a fact that the people who voted for Vlen did not come out and support Gjorgjievski. I believe this was a decision made by voters themselves," Mickoski told reporters.
He denied these developments would have any impact on the ruling coalition, saying the win of VMRO-DPMNE and the coalition is a clear message that "the future will be built along this direction".
"This has also been confirmed by the votes in Brvenica and Kichevo, as well as in other multiethnic municipalities. This has been confirmed by our coalition partners and the elected mayors from Vlen and ZNAM as well," said Mickoski.
He added that those who failed to support these values, such as the Vlen candidate in Brvenica, would be dismissed from their positions in the Government.
"I regret that they made an attempt to play the ethnic card in a multiethnic country. I regret that they put me into a situation where I had to explain before members of the international community how could people who are part of this coalition lead such a nefarious campaign. That is why they are defeated and will sink in their own political swamp. On the other hand, we will continue to work for our common multiethnic Macedonia, a Macedonia of Macedonians, Albanians, Turks, Roma, Serbs, Vlachs and Bosniaks. And yes, the Government will dismiss all those working against these principles," said Mickoski.
The PM said he would celebrate the victory in Brvenica and Kichevo during the evening and then leave for Brussels early in the morning.
Photo: MIA
