Skopje, 1 October 2024 (MIA) – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski at a news conference Tuesday will present the results of his government’s 100 days in office. Held under the slogan “100% dedicated, for you!”, the Prime Minister will present accomplishments, projects and measures implemented by the current cabinet at the helm of the executive power. 

In addition to new appointments to top posts and the budget’s revision, the first 100 days were marked by the half a billion euros in loan from Hungary, planned to be allocated for infrastructural projects in municipalities and support of businesses. Also, linear increase in pensions in amount of 2,500 denars was approved, according to the latest changes to the law on pension and disability insurance. Pensions will also increase by 2,500 denars in March 2025.

In addition to fight against crime and corruption and reforms in the judiciary and administration, which the government pledges to implement, other challenges include rising food prices, for which the government recently has passed a decision to cap gross profit margins of 73 food products. Also, under the law banning unfair trade practices, passed six months ago, prices are expected to drop. Meanwhile, trade unions, including the teachers’ union, have been demanding pay raises.

On the political stage at home, a topical challenge is the veterans’ bill, which has caused turmoil in the ruling coalition. The country’s EU integration process also hit an impasse following last week’s decision in Brussels to decouple the country from Albania on their EU accession path, i.e. to delay the start of the negotiations until the constitutional changes are adopted. 

During the first 100 days in office, the Constitutional Court following an initiative of the former anti-corruption commission, passed a temporary measure to halt hirings in the administration according to ethnic origin under the so called “balancer” tool.

Marking the first 100 days in office, the junior coalition partner Worth It vowed to hold accountable anyone from the former government who had committed wrongdoing. The leaders of the Worth It coalition parties said in the future they will focus on reforms in the public administration, energy transition and human capital development. 

Elected on June 23, the current government is comprised of VMRO-DPMNE, ZNAM and Worth It coalition. It consists of 20 ministries and a cabinet of 24 members, including five deputy prime ministers and one first deputy prime minister. 

MIA file photo