Mickoski Announces the Names of the New Ministers, Vote on the New Government Lineup Expected by Mid-July

Following yesterday’s meeting of VMRO-DPMNE’s Executive Committee, Prime Minister and party leader Hristijan Mickoski announced the proposed composition of his new cabinet. He also presented the distribution of portfolios agreed with coalition partners “VLEN” and ZNAM. According to the announcements, the proposal for the new government lineup should be submitted to Parliament by Friday, while its election is expected to be completed no later than mid-July.

Mickoski said this government reshuffle represents the start of a new phase after two years of the executive’s work, a period which, according to him, has been filled with major challenges, laying foundations, stabilizing the situation, and carrying out major projects. He stressed that the period ahead will place even greater emphasis on efficiency, momentum, and delivering results for citizens, describing it as new energy for a new acceleration.

According to the prime minister, every officeholder must be accessible, accountable, and fully committed to their duty.

Under the announced changes, Sasho Klekovski, the former director of the Health Insurance Fund, has been proposed as the new Minister of Health. His place will be taken by Zlatko Perinski, who currently serves as Minister of Local Self-Government. Gjoko Velkovski, who previously served as deputy minister in the same ministry, has been proposed for the post of Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth. These two new portfolios will in future be led by VMRO-DPMNE кадри.

Ivan Stoiljkoviq will be the new Minister of Local Self-Government. Meanwhile, the post of minister without portfolio, responsible for the integration and implementation of the Strategy for Roma Inclusion, will be held by Erxhan Demir, a graduate economist who until now has been president of VMRO-DPMNE’s Central Committee in the municipality of Shuto Orizari.

Also, in the new lineup there will be no Deputy Prime Minister for Good Governance, as this department will pass under the authority of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Mickoski explained that the current good governance department, namely the post of Deputy Prime Minister in the Government for Good Governance, is being abolished. According to him, this area will pass directly under the authority of the Prime Minister’s Office. He said that, alongside the existing secretary who monitors the work of the Government and the implementation of the program, there will now also be a secretary from the cabinet who will be responsible for good governance.

The governing parliamentary majority will also be expanded by one MP from the Turkish Democratic Party, which, according to the agreement reached, will join the coalition led by VMRO-DPMNE. This party will be represented by a minister without portfolio.

On the other hand, “VLEN” will take over the leadership of the Ministries of Justice, Culture and Tourism, as well as Inter-Community Relations. This coalition will also continue to lead the sectors of Environment, European Affairs, and Economy and Labor.

ZNAM announced that it is taking the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. Their candidate for minister is Borche Serafimovski, who currently holds the post of State Secretary in this ministry. Meanwhile, Goran Minchev remains at the head of the Ministry of Public Administration.