According to Mickoski, the difficulties currently facing the dairy industry are linked to earlier regulatory changes which, according to him, eased import conditions.

“But first we need to find the culprit, that is, diagnose the problem. And the problem was created several years ago by the previous government, through changes to the regulation that lowered the criteria for importing powdered milk and palm oil. That is the essence of it. This is where what is happening today comes from,” said the prime minister.

He stressed that dairy factories currently hold large reserves, which, according to him, directly affects both the quantity of raw milk purchased from farmers and the purchase prices.

“Dairies have warehouses filled with products made from processed milk. This is reflected in the volume of milk purchases from farmers and, of course, affects the price, which is declining,” Mickoski emphasized.

Mickoski added that this situation is not unique to the country, but is also being seen in countries across the region. He announced that, as part of the measures being prepared, the Government is working to introduce stricter criteria for powdered milk imports and for the economic operators that bring it in, with the protection of domestic producers as the top priority.

“The new regulation introduces stricter criteria regarding powdered milk and the economic operators that import it. In the coming period, our main interest is domestic farmers, that is, milk producers from our country,” the prime minister stressed.

He also announced that activities are underway to encourage agreements between milk producers and processors, as well as to secure funds from socially responsible companies, with the aim of purchasing surplus products currently stored in dairy warehouses.

At the same time, Mickoski recalled that after the completion of the Budget rebalancing, the payment of subsidies for 2025 will be carried out. He stressed that the Government is working to overcome the conditions inherited from the previous period.

“Of course, after the completion of the Budget rebalancing, the subsidies for 2025 will also be paid. Just as a reminder, in 2024, the subsidies for 2023 had not been paid when we took office. Now we are talking about subsidies that will be paid for 2025, which means the process is ongoing,” Mickoski emphasized.

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At today’s cabinet meeting, Government spokesperson Marija Miteva announced that the information submitted by the Ministry of Local Self-Government had been reviewed and approved. According to her, an earlier notification had also been received from the President of the Council of the Municipality of Brvenica, which established the legal basis for the premature termination of the mandate.

According to Miteva, the Ministry of Local Self-Government has initiated the procedure in line with the obligations set out by law, due to a circumstance which, based on the Law on Local Self-Government, results in the termination of the mandate by force of law.

She recalled that the Ministry is obliged to notify the Government within 15 days from the moment it receives the notification, while the Government must then begin the procedure for announcing new mayoral elections within 30 days.

“The Government approved the information and adopted a Decision on the termination of the mandate of the Mayor of the Municipality of Brvenica, which creates the legal preconditions for carrying out the further procedure in accordance with the regulations and deadlines in force,” Miteva said./Telegrafi/

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As part of the Government reconstruction, it is considered almost certain that ZNAM will lose the Ministry of Justice. However, there has still been no comment from the party, as it has said it will express its position only after the decisions are reviewed by the party bodies.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said a day earlier that, in principle, an agreement had been reached regarding the distribution of portfolios, while clarifying that the details would be made known today.

“We have not discussed concrete personal solutions or names. In principle, we have an agreement on the portfolios. I have said before that until the meeting of the party’s Executive Committee is concluded, I will not comment on either the portfolios or the names. Wait until tomorrow around 20:00 and the public will be informed in more detail,” Mickoski said.

On the other hand, Venko Filipče assessed that this Government reconstruction brings no benefit to citizens and that, according to him, it serves only to continue the enrichment of individuals and preserve the status quo.

According to Filipče, this is merely the continuation of a process that began two years ago, which he described as the impoverishment of the country, the enrichment of individuals, isolation, and the return of North Macedonia to the “dead end of the Balkans and Europe.”

“Changing people across the portfolios and replacing names is completely irrelevant. It is only the replacement of one person with another and nothing more. Citizens will see absolutely no benefit from this Government led by Hristijan Mickoski. Everything will remain status quo, while the quality of life of citizens will continue to deteriorate,” Filipče said.

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Responding to a question from journalists about what has been coordinated with ZNAM and VLEN, Mickoski stressed that personnel solutions and names have not been discussed so far. “Yes, we have not discussed personnel decisions or names. We have an agreement in principle on the ministries. I have said in the past that until the session of the party’s Executive Committee is over, I will not comment on either the ministries or the names. Wait until tomorrow, approximately by 8 p.m., and the public will be informed in detail,” Mickoski said.

Asked when information is expected on changes at other levels, he indicated that these processes will continue from September.

According to Mickoski, the reconstruction of the Government, the budget rebalance, and, if necessary, the holding of certain sessions for the adoption of reform laws essential for the Reform Agenda at the required level are planned during this month.

He added that, as far as he is informed, Parliament will be on recess during August, so the continuation of activities will take place from September onward. Mickoski made these comments while taking part in the opening of a nursery in Trubarevo, in the municipality of Gazi Baba.

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According to the party, instead of an executive acting in the interests of the citizens, what is being seen is an open clash over posts, functions and businesses.

“ZNAM, the party that was created and financed by Mickoski, no longer exists. Only two people remain – Maksim Dimitrievski and Goran Minçev, who are now waging a direct battle for influence. Dimitrievski has his own man and is aiming for the Ministry of Agriculture, while Minçev does not want this department, because he knows that the funds there have been cut and farmers are extremely dissatisfied.”

“Filkov is seeking to remain in the post of Minister of Justice so that he can control the judiciary, obstruct investigations and carry out the planned tenders. Fear of responsibility and of investigations that may follow is the reason why he insists on staying at the Ministry of Justice at all costs. At the same time, Mickoski is looking for justification for early parliamentary elections.”

“The budget is empty, while the room for new borrowing is narrowing. He cannot allow pensions not to be paid. For this reason, he will try to borrow as much as possible, and when that is no longer feasible, he will seek a way out through elections. So far, he has failed to secure an alibi from the opposition. He is now trying to get it from one of his satellites, but they too know that such a step would seal them as accomplices in political manipulation,” LSDM said.

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At a press conference held at the Government, Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Koçoska said the revision had been drafted amid uncertain global economic and geopolitical circumstances, driven by rising energy prices, movements in international markets and conflicts in certain regions. According to her, despite these challenges, the Macedonian economy is showing resilience and continues to maintain positive trends.

She said that under the revision, total revenues are being revised to 379.2 billion denars compared with the initial 2026 budget, while tax revenues remain almost at the originally planned level and are projected at 213.2 billion denars.

“Through the budget revision, we are ensuring the stability of public finances while at the same time creating room for more investment, greater economic activity and higher-quality services for citizens. Even in conditions of global uncertainty, we remain committed to the responsible management of public funds and support for development,” Dimitrieska-Koçoska stressed.

On the expenditure side, the minister explained that total expenditures have been revised to 425.2 billion denars. Compared with the level initially planned, the additional funds will be directed toward clearly defined priorities, including agricultural subsidies, support for rail transport, sports, the living standards of students and pupils, as well as additional assistance for categories of citizens in need through social benefits, soup kitchens and deinstitutionalization measures. The budget deficit has been revised to 46.1 billion denars, or 4.1% of GDP.

According to Dimitrieska-Koçoska, for the first time the increase in the deficit is mainly the result of higher capital spending and infrastructure investments.

“It is especially important that the budget revision secures additional funds for capital investments. They amount to around 46 billion denars and are increasing by around 5.8 billion denars, or 14.5%, compared with the initial budget. We are not talking about a deficit that finances current consumption, but one that finances development,” Dimitrieska-Koçoska stressed.

The additional funds will be used to implement capital projects of strategic importance for the state, such as the construction of Corridor 8 and Corridor 10d, the Shkup – Bllacë motorway, the construction of Railway Corridor VIII, investments in water supply and sewerage systems, wastewater treatment plants, waste management systems, energy efficiency projects, the construction and reconstruction of schools, kindergartens and student dormitories, as well as investments in rural development and the modernization of agriculture.

The minister also underlined that there will be a significant increase in funds for capital projects in municipalities as well, through investments in local road and municipal infrastructure, as well as in educational and sports facilities, with the aim of ensuring balanced regional development and a better quality of life for citizens across the country.

The budget deficit and debt repayment obligations, with a total value of 76.4 billion denars, will be covered through a combination of domestic and external borrowing. Of this amount, more than 54 billion denars are earmarked for the regular servicing of obligations to foreign creditors, while around 20 billion denars are intended for the repayment of domestic debt.

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