Skopje, 20 September 2023 (MIA) - VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski told former party leader and ex-PM Nikola Gruevski on Wednesday that he does not intend to be part of a scenario of creating strife to benefit the incumbent authorities.

"I regret that you have decided to make a public parody and serve as distraction from the crime of these authorities. I understand it but I cannot justify it. There is no need for dialogue over media but since you addressed me through a status, I will respond in the same way: Nikola, I do not intend to be part of a scenario of creating strife to benefit the incumbent authorities. I will give you the details the day we see each other, if you are prepared to listen," Mickoski wrote on Facebook.

I will not allow, he adds, that people forget what the authorities are doing to stay in power as long as they can, creating an atmosphere where one loses hope for justice.

"If you want strife, this is your decision that I am prepared to oppose, because this is not about a personal battle but a battle for Macedonia that is drowning in crime, where the people's will is not respected. We, the politicians, are elected by the people and we are accountable before them. There should be no bargaining and deals under the table over Macedonia. I will not allow for personal deals at the expense of the collective interest. This is not 2018, this is a different time. As you said, 'truth is like an awl, it will come out sooner or later', and we both know the truth. However, it seems that others know it as well, telling it publicly loud and clear in recent days," says Mickoski.

Gruevski urged Mickoski yesterday to respond over his interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), in which he claims that the former PM is in secret communication with the government, adding "in order to pass constitutional changes, the government is preparing dirty deals."

"If what you said is true, can you say which of my moves or statements represented an attempt to create divisions in the party, or provide proof that I have accepted 'dirty deals' with the authorities that I should carry out with the help of fellow-party members. I hope the response will be clear and unequivocal, direct and personal as is the statement, without using party representatives and spokespersons for this, or give briefings at web-portals or other media outlets that he is close to," wrote Gruevski on Facebook.

Mickoski told FAZ that the government believes it can divide the opposition party, but, as he pointed out, it will not succeed.

“We have done everything for our European perspective. But we are constantly being asked new requests,” Mickoski said, noting that if his proposal for delayed implementation of constitutional amendments is not accepted, then there will be no changes to the Constitution.

Photo: MIA archive