Mickoski Presents New Phase of Government Work
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski announced a government reshuffle, describing it as the beginning of a new phase after two years of the current government’s work. He said the previous period had been marked by serious challenges, stabilization, the setting of foundations and the realization of major projects, while the next phase would focus more strongly on efficiency, pace and delivering results for citizens.
Mickoski said the reshuffle would bring “new energy for new acceleration” and that the proposed government changes would be submitted to Parliament together with the biographies of the new ministers.
New Ministers and Redistribution of Portfolios
Sashko Klekovski, the current director of the Health Insurance Fund, has been proposed as the new Minister of Health. Klekovski said he accepted the position with responsibility and announced that his focus would be on improving the healthcare system.
Gjoko Velkovski, who has so far served as deputy minister, is set to take over the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth. The Health Insurance Fund will then be led by Zlatko Perinski, who has until now served as Minister of Local Self-Government. The Ministry of Local Self-Government will be taken over by Ivan Stoilković.
Erdjan Demir has been named minister without portfolio responsible for the implementation of the Roma Inclusion Strategy.
VLEN and ZNAM Receive Key Positions
The coalition partner VLEN will receive the portfolios of justice, culture and tourism, as well as relations between communities. Jeton Shasivari is proposed as Minister of Justice, Sedat Sulejmani is expected to take over the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, while Agon Ferati will become Minister for Relations Between Communities.
The ZNAM movement will strengthen its position in the government by taking over the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, where Borche Serafimovski is expected to be nominated as minister. Goran Minchev remains Minister of Public Administration. ZNAM has also announced that it will receive one additional deputy ministerial position in September.
Post for Good Governance Abolished
Mickoski also announced institutional changes within the government structure. The position of deputy prime minister for good governance will be abolished, and its responsibilities will be transferred directly to the prime minister’s cabinet.
According to Mickoski, this should allow faster coordination and more efficient monitoring of government policies. Bekim Sali remains first deputy prime minister, while the overall number of deputy prime ministers will be reduced.
Mickoski said the government will keep the same number of portfolios, but with two fewer deputy prime ministers compared with the previous two-year period.
Democratic Party of Turks Joins the Coalition
Mickoski also announced that an agreement had been reached with the Democratic Party of Turks for its participation in the coalition with VMRO-DPMNE and its future participation in the government.
According to the announcement, the party will be represented in the government by one minister without portfolio.
The ruling VMRO-DPMNE presents the reshuffle as a move aimed at strengthening responsible and efficient governance, saying that the changes reflect the voice of citizens and introduce new energy into the work of the government.
