Hristijan Mickoski, leader of the center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, is poised to become North Macedonia's new Prime Minister after securing a parliamentary majority.
However, his nationalist rhetoric and stance on key issues threaten to complicate the country's EU accession process and strain relations with neighbors.
Mickoski's victory comes after his party won the May 8th elections and formed a coalition with the Albanian Vredi party and the leftist ZNAM. This grants him a comfortable majority in the 120-seat parliament. While he has pledged to continue pursuing EU membership, his approach differs significantly from his predecessors.
The most contentious issue revolves around Bulgaria's demands for constitutional changes recognizing a Bulgarian minority in North Macedonia. While the previous government agreed to this, Mickoski has denounced it as "capitulation," potentially jeopardizing the country's EU accession bid. Bulgaria, as an EU member, holds veto power over the process.
Adding to the tension, Mickoski has repeatedly referred to his country as "Macedonia," dropping the "North" prefix agreed upon in a historic deal with Greece. This echoes the stance of the new president, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, also from VMRO-DPMNE, who sparked controversy by using the shortened name during her oath of office. While Mickoski promises to use the official name in formal settings, his insistence on "Macedonia" in informal communication risks alienating Greece, another crucial supporter for EU membership.
Beyond foreign policy, Mickoski faces domestic challenges, including strengthening the rule of law, tackling corruption and poverty, and revitalizing a struggling economy. His success in navigating these complex issues will determine North Macedonia's future both within its borders and on the path towards the European Union.
AMNA
