Skopje, 1 October 2024 (MIA) - The first 100 days of the rule of the new Government were not easy, but they were a key period during which many things became clear – where we are, where we need to go, and what we need to do to get there. But, most importantly, we have shown that we are determined and committed to tackle the challenges regardless of the obstructions we faced, and the problems and traps laid ahead of us, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said at a press conference Tuesday marking 100 days of the new Government’s rule.

Mickoski said the situation the Government inherited was much worse than expected and “far from ideal”. However, he stressed, “we realized, implemented or launched over 100 projects, measures and decisions important for the citizens”.

“We inherited an annual budget that was spent in just six months. A country that young people are moving out of, with 600.000 people living on Mden 150 (EUR 2.44) per day and many other pressing issues. But this has only boosted our engagement and motivation to solve them and end up on the right path. Today’s goal is unequivocal – 100 percent commitment to the realization of projects and the fulfilment of promises,” Mickoski said.

The PM said the Government’s primary task during the first 100 days was to stabilize the country’s finances.

“Our primary task and focus was to stabilize the financial flows, to patch up the holes in the budget and to deal with the deficits and the chaos left over from the previous Government. We are working on repaying debts, ending the indebtedness of the institutions and public enterprises, and the implementation of specific measures in tax and social policy. We prepared and staffed institutions, reached agreements on investments which are significant for our economy and will create many new jobs and we worked on and prepared hundreds of new projects,” Mickoski said.

Mickoski added that the Government “cares for all, the youngest, their education, as well as the oldest with the first half of the pension increases and other new planned projects”.

“We aren’t forgetting farmers either, nor workers, nor teachers and professors, nor doctors. For the first time after a long period, we provided free, timely textbooks for all. There are no longer any queues for the issuing of passports and ID cards, we raised the pensions, we repaid the debts and unpaid wages. Every day we are trying to show that we are acting, that we are present with activities, but to also adopt some new measures and we are trying to improve, to show that things can be done differently, and things can be better,” Mickoski said.

He reminded of some of the measures and decisions implemented by the Government, and said more projects, measures and reforms will follow.

“There are many more projects, measures and reforms to come, and we will work for them with all our energy and heart. New investments, reductions of prices, investments, as well as measures for young people will follow, and I can say that taxes will be reduced. In the next four weeks, expect a decision for an additional reduction of taxes that will make us the country with the lowest taxes in Europe,” Mickoski said. 

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