Mickoski: VMRO-DPMNE Has Credibility to Form Government

Leader of VMRO-DPMNE Hrisitjan Mickoski held a press conference on Thursday in relation to the 2020 parliamentary election that took place on 15 July.  According to Mickoski, VMRO-DPMNE would have clearly won the election if it was not for, as he claims, the manipulations with the results conducted by the party in power SDSM. “With the results of the election, VMRO-DPMNE is a strong contender in the running for formation of government. Data shows that the opposition triumphed over the ruling party and VMRO-DPMNE won more MP seats than SDSM alone, without coalition partner BESA. VMRO-DPMNE and the ‘Renewal for Macedonia’ coalition were victorious in 41 municipalities. VMRO-DPMNE has won more votes than SDSM on it own, not counting votes for its coalition partner BESA. The difference is 10,000 votes. This is why VMRO-DPMNE has the credibility to form the new government,” Mickoski said. Asked about possibilities for VMRO-DPMNE to form alliances with the other parties that won mandates, Mickoski said that he is willing to negotiate with all parties, but that he will not accept blackmail. “I’m ready to negotiate because the election won VMRO-DPMNE credibility, but I won’t allow conditions. We did not form a coalition with Albanian parties, but that doesn’t mean we won’t form one now. VMRO-DPMNE won more parliament seats than SDSM both at the 2016 election and now. As long as people support us we will fight for them,” Mickoski said, adding that he refuses the suggestions of SDSM leader Zoran Zaev to form a government with him and his party. “I have no intention to enter in political alliance with former and suspected criminals,” Mickoski underlined. He then revealed that the legal committee of VMRO-DPMNE is preparing complaints to file to the State Election Commission in relation to irregularities they have registered during the election.