Skopje, 19 October 2023 (MIA) - VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski calls on the ruling coalition to organize talks and working groups that will agree on dates for the elections. According to him, deadlines are running and there is risk of constitutional crisis.

In response to a reporter's question on the process of forming working groups that will set dates for the elections, he noted that VMRO-DPMNE is advocating to merge voting dates for presidential and parliamentary elections.

"I believe the Government needs to step up and form a working group as soon as possible, so we can set deadlines, because time is running out and we are entering a difficult period. If elections are to be held on May 8, we should already have a caretaker government in less than a hundred days. This is a great opportunity for the government to stand on the side of reason, instead of forcing processes. Either way, we have to meet and discuss these processes, start and finish them. Deadlines are catching up, and we are entering a constitutional and legal crisis," Mickoski said.

He reiterated the position that it is irrational to waste citizens' resources and organize separate elections that will be 30 to 60 days apart.

"It is wasteful for any of us to support such an idea. I am appealing for the government's reason. We have Wednesday, May 8, 2024, previous elections in 2020 were also held on a Wednesday. The second round of presidential elections will be held alongside the parliamentary elections. There is a 72-hour window for any complaints and objections. May 12 would be the deadline for the inauguration of a new president," Mickoski noted.

He confirmed there is no communication with the ruling coalition, except "colloquially", in Parliament. ssh/nn/

Photo: VMRO-DPMNE