Skopje, 12 December 2021 (MIA) – After being re-elected as VMRO-DPMNE leader at the party’s 17th congress on Sunday, Hristijan Mickoski announced the rebirth of the country and the party, real changes and a new concept – social consensus between stakeholders for joint patriotism, set to entail respect for differences and honest friendship for the sake of progress. He thanked delegates for entrusting him with another term as party leader, stressing that the party is entering a second era during which focus will be put on the individual, freedom of thought and choice. The people want a party they can trust and VMRO-DPMNE, Mickoski underlined, is just that. “We have to do everything in our power not to fail and disappoint them. We must succeed, achieve progress, ensure equal opportunities for all. Get ready, we have a lot of work to do, we have to fight, because the people expect change and we can’t let them down. Let’s return the country to the people, let’s make the Macedonian dream come true together,” Mickoski noted. This congress, he added, has made VMRO-DPMNE stronger and given it the energy to face challenges that come. “We sent a clear message for unity and togetherness. There’s hope, change is coming. We faced strong temptations over the past four years. This is our time, the time of the new generation. The road ahead is long and hard, but this is our shared fight. We may not accomplish what we want, but I’ve never have been more hopeful that we can reach the finish line together. There may be delays, we can’t solve every issue. However, I’ll always be honest and listen to you. It’s our duty to ensure that people have a choice,” said VMRO-DPMNE’s leader. According to him, society has been sitting in the same swamp for too long due to irresponsible policies. “Our fight is not just about the party or individual. We have a much more serious task. But, we’re prepared to say that Macedonia will win. The country can change, politicians can and must change. A new era of leadership is coming,” Mickoski said, adding that VMRO-DPMNE will reach out to intellectuals with the aim of creating successful policies. In regard to social consensus over joint patriotism, he stressed that “there’s no longer yours and ours, we’re under the same roof that’s leaking and requires fixing.” “It’s not too late to make things right. It’s time to move forward, together. Joint patriotism is a difference that we’ll all respect. VMRO-DPMNE will open its doors to all communities. That’s our new strategy,” Mickoski noted. He also announced new economic measures, lower taxes, war against corruption, new measures in agriculture and cultural progress. VMRO-DPMNE on Sunday re-elected at its 17th congress Hristijan Mickoski as party leader. Mickoski ran unopposed and gained the support of 489 delegates. A total of 493 delegates were present at the congress, of whom 492 voted. Of these 489 voted for Mickoski, while three ballots were invalid. He was first elected as VMRO-DPMNE leader on 23 December 2017, when he got the support of 376 delegates at the party’s 16th congress, held in Valandovo.