Skopje, 6 September 2023 (MIA) – This is a shameful act for democracy. The Government’s intention is clear, the end is nearing and they are not being picky when it comes to means to protect themselves from the crime they’ve committed thus far, said VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski regarding the amendments to the Criminal Code, which Parliament adopted on Wednesday evening.

In an interview for Kanal 5 TV, just before the vote on the amendments, asked how VMRO-DPMNE’s MPs will fight against them, Mickoski responded that the only way to demand accountability is through elections.

“Submitting amendments will not do the job, nor is there a way to stop this business, because they abused the EU flag. The only way to demand accountability is through elections, with the citizens coming to the polls at the next elections in large numbers to support VMRO-DPMNE and its coalition,” said Mickoski.

Regarding speculation that the amendments represent a silent agreement between SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE, Mickoski said this is “unserious and laughable.”

“If it was an agreement, why would there be a need for an EU flag. I dismiss this as a big lie, there is no agreement, nor do I intend to come to any agreements,” said the opposition leader.

Asked if it is possible that the amendments to the Criminal Code are related to the attempt to adopt constitutional amendments, Mickoski said there is no such thing.

“This is an attempt by SDSM and DUI to silently pardon its officials for the crime they’ve committed in the past six years,” said Mickoski.

On his meeting with the U.S. Department of State’s Assistant Deputy Secretary, Gabriel Escobar, Mickoski said it was a closed meeting during which they exchanged arguments over the good partner relations between the two countries, adding that he could conclude that Escobar wasn’t properly informed “on many things” by the Government of North Macedonia.

The opposition leader said they are already making efforts to correct all the wrongs of the current Government, so that as a future Government, they will be able “to return the process to the right track”.

On what VMRO-DPMNE would offer to the citizens as a future Government, Mickoski said they have an exceptionally high-quality program that will provide solutions for many systemic problems.

“A program that will provide solutions for many systemic problems, because the constitutional amendments are only one issue, while at the same time, if we cite the polls correctly, we would see that the Macedonian citizens have at least 10 other priorities ahead of the constitutional amendments. This is what VMRO-DPMNE is currently focused on,” stressed Mickoski.

Asked if he expects a concrete verdict for the Oncology Clinic case, Mickoski said there will be justice for this case, as well as for the “Besa Trans” case and the fire in the Tetovo modular hospital after the change in Government.

“Whatever happens, I know that a few months from now, VMRO-DPMNE’s Government intends to seriously work not only on the monstrous, mafia-like behavior at the Oncology Clinic, but also on the cases with Besa Trans, with Laskarci and with the modular hospital, and everything that was somehow pushed to the margins in the past six years,” said Mickoski.

Regarding Artan Grubi’s comment that the amendments to the Criminal Code are an “exclusive demand“ by VMRO-DPMNE, Mickoski said that Grubi has said many things about him and his party, adding “almost nothing of it is true”.

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