Skopje, 4 March 2026 (MIA) — Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski sharply criticized the former government’s record on dealing with organized crime during a parliamentary session earlier Wednesday, dismissing claims that his government has stalled the nation’s European path.

Responding to accusations from independent MP Skender Rexhepi likening the country to a "European Colombia," PM Mickoski said it was the previous government that had cultivated a "cannabis economy." 

The prime minister said his government was actively dealing with the problem. Recalling that authorities had already seized dozens of tons of cannabis and revoked over 20 licenses, he said court proceedings were pending.

"The cannabis economic policy of the previous government, which you supported, is a thing of the past," Mickoski told Rexhepi. 

Also, speaking about the deadlock in the country's EU negotiations, Mickoski said his predecessors were to blame and accused them of accepting international obligations they knew they could not fulfill as they had not secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament. 

He said the current government was seeking a strategy that would maintain the dignity of Macedonian citizens while moving forward on the European path. mr/