Prime Minister Zoran Zaev told reporters in Shtip on Thursday that following Parliament’s endorsement of his Government in a confidence vote on Wednesday, he now feels greater responsibility to deblock Parliament.
“It’s a great honor to have won the confidence vote. That was the first time a Prime Minister personally requested a confidence vote. I’m thankful for the support of the parliamentary majority for enabling us to continue with our work. I’m also thankful we’re resolved all uncertainties. For six months we heard threats that there’s no parliamentary majority, that the Government will fall, which really impacted the economy, public administration, government,” Zaev said.
He expressed regret that key legislation in stuck in Parliament, including the law on energy efficiency, set to provide EUR 25 million for state institutions and EUR 10 million for municipal ones.
“The second is an EUR 50 million World Bank project in the agriculture sector, which aims to increase productivity and ensure increased production at lower costs, as well as sector update,” the PM stressed.
Moreover, he also mentioned the Skopje tram project, worth EUR 70 million.
“There’s no need for quarrelling between ruling and opposition parties. Let’s band together and implement this project as soon as possible. Culture and health laws are also being blocked, not the mention the fifth set of economic measures. It’s unacceptable. As the head of the Government I will not allow for Parliament to be blocked,” Zaev noted.
He underlined that new policies are set to be presented in upcoming period, aiming to ensure greater progress, increase efficiency, cooperation, inclusivity, etc.
The Parliament endorsed the Government in a confidence vote on Wednesday, with 62 lawmakers supporting the Cabinet and none against. The opposition did not attend the vote, which came at the PM’s request.
VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said that Zaev is using his current situation of being isolated after testing positive for COVID-19 to request the vote, adding that his days in power are numbered.
