Mickoski Government 2 Headed for Reshuffle, Changes Expected in Several Ministries

During the coming week, it is expected to become finally clear which names will leave and which will join the government cabinet of current Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, made up of VMRO-DPMNE, VLEN and ZNAM. The latter continues to oppose the changes and is holding talks to keep the ministerial positions it currently holds.

Meanwhile, the first details from negotiations between the coalition partners have begun circulating in public, although no final decisions have yet been made. According to INA, there is growing speculation that new ministers could be appointed in Justice, Health, Culture, European Affairs, the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Agriculture and Sports.

The ZNAM movement has chosen neither to deny nor confirm reports that it could lose control of the Ministry of Justice. As an alternative, VMRO-DPMNE is offering it the Ministry of Agriculture, while this party aims to take over the Interior Ministry, Defense or Finance. ZNAM recalls that its entry into government two years ago was not driven by personal ambition, but by the implementation of the program.

“We have had several meetings at the level of party leaders, and the negotiating teams are working continuously. All open issues are on the table. There is no final agreement on any issue. We expect an outcome around the middle of next week,” said Nikolla Memov, spokesperson for ZNAM.

If Filkov’s departure is confirmed, the post of justice minister could go to a representative of the VLEN coalition. The name mentioned most often is that of university professor Jeton Shasivari, who is also a member of the Venice Commission.

Among the names being mentioned for replacement is Health Minister Azir Aliu. He himself commented today on the speculation over whether he will continue in this post or not.

“I did not begin my career with a political office and I do not believe I will end my career with a political office, because this is not healthy, first for me, and second for the country’s political infrastructure — to have a person who for years will remain in political office. This is an institutional matter, not a personal one, because I did not apply, there was no competition for me to apply to become minister, but this is a political, institutional function, and the institutions must answer who will be at the head of a ministry, in this case Health,” said current Health Minister Azir Aliu.

To replace Aliu, the name being mentioned is Minister for European Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Bekim Sali, who previously held this post in the government led by SDSM. However, the possibility remains open that this portfolio could be taken over by VMRO-DPMNE.

Other changes are also being signaled in the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Policy and Social Affairs. For Culture and Sports, the names of VLEN cadres are circulating. However, the first details on the possible names for ministerial posts are expected to become known over the weekend. /INA/