Skopje, 18 June 2024 (MIA) - PM-designate and VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski submitted a motion on the government’s composition and program to the Parliament on Tuesday, after the party's executive and central committees approved the names of the 15 candidates on Sunday.

Mickoski noted that citizens have high expectations because for the past seven years the country has been held captive by several people in power.

"I just submitted the draft program for the next government led by VMRO-DPMNE, as well as the list of members and their biographies. I expect them to be elected in the assembly this coming weekend - June 22-23. Citizens expect quick results on everything this government promised to deliver. We didn't make many promises during the campaign, only believed that this country will once again belong to the citizens. For the past seven years, the country was held captive by several people in power," Mickoski said.

He pointed out that there is a group of people who are motivated to achieve results immediately and expressed his expectations that everyone will invest more than their capacity, because, he said, the citizens have done their part, "now it's our turn".

The PM-designate added that he would wage an uncompromising fight against crime and there would be no tolerance, no matter what party abuse comes from. Also, he noted that recently they have received numerous reports of abuse that has occurred in the past seven years.

"We plan to clear up the suspicions and information that we recently received on all instances of abuse that occurred in the past seven years, we owe it to the citizens. I also expect quick results in the economy," Mickoski said.

According to him, young people will be the main focus of the new government.

"Young people will be our main focus. We are also witnessing a classic exodus of young people who leave Macedonia, in pursuit of their future somewhere far away. Unfortunately, 8 out of 10 of my students decide to leave the country after graduating because there is no perspective here, no future, and that needs to change. The situation and perception needs to change, but how, only through hard work, let's leave our hearts on the field, there should be no division into first-class, second-class, and third-class citizens, i.e. everyone must feel equal, I personally guarantee that it will not happen," Mickoski stressed.

A new government is expected to be elected in the assembly this coming weekend. Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi is expected to schedule a session for the election of the new government on Saturday at 11 am. The session should be concluded by midnight on Sunday at the latest. 

Late on Sunday, the VMRO-DPMNE executive and central committee officially confirmed the names of the nominations for ministers from the Your Macedonia coalition. The next government will also include ministers from the Worth It coalition and ZNAM. The new cabinet from the Your Macedonia coalition will include 15 members, including three vice premier posts; Worth It coalition representatives are nominated to be at the helm of five ministries and one deputy premier post, whereas ZNAM party has nominated two ministers. ssh/nn/