North Macedonia: PM Mickoski addresses election calls and EU relations

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has addressed potential calls for early parliamentary elections. Responding to questions during a visit to the Tearce Municipality, Mickoski stated that the current government holds a mandate for four years and is focused on unblocking long-stalled infrastructure and social projects. He noted that if the opposition parties—BDI, LSDM, and the Left—were to unite and propose an initiative for early elections, the government would provide an “adequate response.”

Separately, political tensions have risen following a visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Mickoski defended the visit, describing it as “extraordinarily high-quality, substantive, and friendly,” and claimed von der Leyen praised the government’s reform efforts regarding EU accession.

However, LSDM leader Venko Filipçe challenged these claims, accusing Mickoski of misrepresenting the visit. Filipçe argued that the European Commission President’s comments regarding North Macedonia’s identity and language prove that the government’s nationalist rhetoric is unfounded and that current policies are keeping the state in isolation.