North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said he is prepared to meet with the leader of the opposition SDSM party, following a request from Venko Filipce for a leaders’ meeting. Mickoski urged the SDSM president to publicly disclose his reform plan.
“Regarding the leaders’ meeting, it’s a very serious topic to discuss through the media. If Filipce has a plan, as I understand, he can present it at a press conference. However, if he wishes to present it to me, I am ready to receive him and discuss it,” Mickoski stated.
The call for a leaders’ meeting arose after Filipce announced plans to request a meeting of the largest political party leaders to present his reform agenda in parliament, focusing on the judiciary, healthcare, education, public administration, and EU integration.
Meanwhile, SDSM alleges selective investigation into a nightclub fire in Kocani. Mickoski accused them of politicizing the case, despite the investigation being led by individuals he claims were chosen by the previous government.
“I understand the former governing coalition is dissatisfied with the prosecution’s handling of the investigation. Firstly, the prosecutor is the same one these parties voted for. This morning, he arrived with Islam Abazi and Gavril Bubevski. It’s clear where they were selected from,” Mickoski said, alluding to perceived political affiliations. “Our decision to hold back our procedure, our request, does not mean we’ve forgotten where they come from. We stepped back to allow a clear response and accountability for anyone involved in this tragedy.”
Regarding the opposition’s request for an inquiry commission, Mickoski expressed no objection, but suggested expanding it to include past cases such as the Besa Trans bus accident, the Lascarci bus crash, and the Tetovo modular hospital fire.
“I heard the request. One opposition party wants international assistance for the investigation, the other an inquiry commission. These are the same people who were favored by those now expressing dissatisfaction with the investigation. Were they satisfied with the investigations into Lascarci, the modular hospital, Besa Trans, and other cases?” Mickoski questioned. “I am not avoiding any inquiry commission, but I would like to expand it to include all these court cases that concluded as they did.”
Mickoski also addressed SDSM’s proposal for a joint mayoral candidate in Kocani’s upcoming local elections, stating it is premature to discuss elections so soon after the tragedy, which claimed 59 lives, when the city and the nation are in mourning.
