If the prime minister decides to have a small reconstruction of the government cabinet, then it is certain that early parliamentary elections are planned in the spring of 2027. Otherwise, if the reconstruction covers more departments, then most likely the government will wait for the regular parliamentary elections in 2028
The positive jump in Vredi’s rating may be among the key parameters for Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski to decide whether to go for a major government reconstruction or just “cosmetic” changes to the government cabinet. The extent of the reconstruction, as “Sloboden Pechat” already reported, will also depend on whether Mickoski will go to early parliamentary elections in the spring of 2027 or complete his four-year term.
If Mickoski decides to have a small reconstruction, then it is certain that he is planning early parliamentary elections. Otherwise, if more portfolios are covered by the reconstruction, then there will be regular parliamentary elections.
It is worth it that the party has an advantage over DUI in the polls, Mickoski says
At a press briefing, during the presentation of the latest party survey, Mickoski said that Vredi has a rating of around seven percent, but also that a jump was observed in the field survey in the second half of May. He assumes that it is because of the consolidation of Vredi into one party.
The Prime Minister considered that it was a positive surprise for him.
– We will see what the trend will be, but there is a positive jump and that’s when I noticed for the first time that they have an advantage over DUI – DUI is 7.8 and Worth 8 percent. I KNOW, on the other hand, there is 2.3 percent – said the Prime Minister.
A senior government official briefed “Sloboden Pechat” that the option of early elections was current before the transformation of Vredi into a party, because Mickoski was afraid of a possible disintegration of the government partner. But after becoming a party, Worthy has a jump in ratings. If that trend continues, it is possible that early elections will not be an option, if there is no new incentive for an electoral confrontation in the meantime.
Mickoski repeated at the briefing that he does not rule out the possibility of early parliamentary elections next spring, although, as he says, the citizens in the polls predominantly state that they do not want early elections. He also announced that from June the party will start polls by constituencies.
Asked if this meant that elections in April 2027 were possible, the prime minister said:
– Everything is possible. We have entered the second half of this Government’s mandate and it is logical that we are preparing for elections. A serious party always prepares for elections in the second half of the mandate. Citizens do not want early elections, but when they happen, then they decide. I don’t know what would be the reason for early elections. We go to regular ones, but if some trigger happens… – Mickoski said.
A reshuffle of ministries is possible
Mickoski reiterated that in the second half of this month he will sit down with government partners to discuss government reconstruction. He did not want to reveal the extent of the reconstruction, but said that there are several departments that will need to be discussed and that a reshuffle of ministries is possible.
Public opinion polls are expected to play a role in the reconstruction, that is, in the possible exchange of portfolios between government partners. According to a senior government official, VMRO-DPMNE will insist on taking over healthcare from Vredi, and in return will offer the Ministry of Culture. VMRO-DPMNE appointed the director of the GOB “September 8” Sinisha Stojanoski as Minister of Health. It is worth, in turn, he will ask for the education department, and in such a case the Ministry of Culture may be offered to ZNAM, and VMRO-DPMNE will take the justice department. There have long been rumors about the Minister of Justice Igor Filkov that he will be replaced, although ZNAM says that they are satisfied with the work of their two ministers in the Government and that they are not in favor of the option of portfolio rotation. According to the official who briefed us, considering the rating it has, ZNAM should be satisfied with the culture department, for which MP Boban Karapejovski is mentioned, and the replacement of Borko Ristovski in the sports department is also certain.
Unofficially, in VMRO-DPMNE there is dissatisfaction with the work of the Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Stoilkovic. It will not be a surprise if Mickoski decides to keep Social Policy Minister Fatmir Limani in the Government, then Limani will sit in Stoilkovic’s seat.
In Vredi, the replacement of the Vice Prime Minister for good governance, Arben Fetai, as well as the mentioned Limani, is certain. It is possible to rotate the Minister of Health, Azir Aliu, who should sit in the vice prime minister’s chair for good governance. According to Vredi’s combinations, however, the rotation of Vice Prime Minister Bekim Sali with the Minister of Health Aliu is in play. In such a case, Sali will remain the first deputy prime minister, but instead of in the department of European affairs, the offer will be for him to manage the Ministry of Health. In such a case, the current Minister of Health Aliu would rotate in the portfolio of Deputy Prime Minister for Good Governance in Fetai’s place.
