North Macedonia PM ready for snap elections if opposition demands

North Macedonia's Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski declared his readiness to hold early parliamentary elections should the opposition demand them, despite his government's mandate extending until spring 2028. Mickoski asserted that his government would not shy away from such a challenge, stating, "We will not run away, of course. Our mandate is four years, and for that long we have received the citizens' support to implement reforms. But if the opposition throws down the gauntlet, it's normal, we will not cowardly flee from elections. On the contrary, we are ready to go at any time and defeat them."

Mickoski reiterated that his government's mandate, secured in the elections of June 23, 2024, is for four years and concludes in the spring of 2028. He suggested that the opposition's desire for early elections likely stems from a belief that they could govern more effectively. "Logically, the opposition wants to be in power. Why? Because they think they are better than this government," Mickoski said. He indicated that if the opposition calls for early elections, the government would convene a leadership meeting to agree on a date and proceed.

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We will not run away, of course. Our mandate is four years, and for that long we have received the citizens' support to implement reforms. But if the opposition throws down the gauntlet, it's normal, we will not cowardly flee from elections. On the contrary, we are ready to go at any time and defeat them.

The current coalition government comprises Mickoski's VMRO-DPMNE party, the Albanian Vredi party, and the Znam - For Our Macedonia party. The government underwent a reshuffle in mid-July, with Mickoski replacing seven ministers. At the time, he emphasized that he was seeking confidence not just for individuals or a single party, but for the continuation of a process.

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Logically, the opposition wants to be in power. Why? Because they think they are better than this government.