Mickoski's Balancing Act: Steer North Macedonia Towards EU Amid Challenges

North Macedonia's parliament is debating a new government proposed by Hristijan Mickoski, a former engineering professor. Mickoski's centre-right party won the recent elections, promising EU integration while adopting a nationalist tone. Major hurdles include addressing Bulgaria's demands for constitutional amendments and managing relations with Greece.

North Macedonia's parliament is deep in deliberation over the new government proposed by a centre-right party that emerged victorious in May's national elections. Topping the list is Hristijan Mickoski, a former engineering professor, who aims to continue pushing the nation towards EU membership.

Mickoski's nationalist rhetoric, however, poses a risk of straining relations with Greece and Bulgaria, key EU players who could impede North Macedonia's quest to join the bloc. Despite these challenges, Mickoski secured support from 78 out of 120 lawmakers, making his victory in Sunday's vote seem inevitable.

His coalition, led by the VMRO-DPMNE party, clinched just over 43% of the vote, winning 58 seats and forming alliances with the ethnic Albanian Vredi party and the small leftist ZNAM, ensuring a comfortable majority. Under the coalition deal, VMRO-DPMNE will get 15 ministerial positions, while Vredi and ZNAM will receive six and two, respectively.