Skopje, 13 January 2024 (MIA) - We stand with EU Ambassador Geer regarding the European future, expecting him to summon his counterpart in Sofia for discussions with the Bulgarian government, ultimately opening the path for Macedonia and its citizens to the European Union, free from dictates, ultimatums, and hegemonic demands," VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said on Saturday.

He said this in response to a journalist's question about how he interprets the statement of the EU Ambassador, David Geer, who stated that if VMRO-DPMNE and he personally are for the European Union, it is clear what needs to be done for constitutional changes, and there will be no reopening of the Negotiating Framework.

“I am extremely concerned because they are not concerned about the high levels of corruption, crime, humiliations that occur when issuing passports to Macedonian citizens, the shame we witness daily, the violence at M-NAV, and everything that poses a real problem for the Macedonian citizen,” Mickoski said.

Regarding the party's presidential candidate and whether VMRO-DPMNE would support a non-partisan candidate, Mickoski stated that through internal party polls, sometime in the second half of February, they will determine who has the best chances for candidacy.

"VMRO-DPMNE is a democratic party, and anyone who meets the criteria can participate in the internal party process that will conclude with a convention where delegates will choose the candidate to stand behind, as VMRO-DPMNE," Mickoski noted.

Mickoski, in response to the question whether he expects any of the ruling parties to join, stated that there are signals from numerous parties currently in power, as well as those that were in power, indicating their interest in joining VMRO-DPMNE.

According to the opposition leader, the government is not establishing conditions for fair elections for all participants, as evidenced by the thousands of active job postings in the public administration ahead of the elections.

Another aspect, mentioned by Mickoski, indicating that there are not equal and fair conditions for all in the electoral race, is the vacant seat in the State Election Commission that belongs to the Albanian opposition, and which the government is not filling.

“The process itself has numerous flaws from the outset, but we must endure these three months until the official start of the campaign, overcome them, and then demand accountability,” Mickoski added.

Photo: VMRO-DPMNE