site.btaTalat Xhaferi Takes over as PM in Skopje

Talat Xhaferi took over as Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia from Dimitar Kovachevski on Monday, heading a technical government that will prepare the country for elections. The government was elected by Parliament on Sunday.

"I see commitment in the work, concentration of everyone in the government and I think the work will be at the highest level. I urge everyone in the government, regardless of party affiliation, to work in the interest of the citizens, the economy, security and stability," Kovachevski said at a joint press conference after the ceremony. In his words, the government has a system in place for dealing with crises, certain policies and measures, and his expectation is that "everyone will show clear political will to support both economic and political stability and to hold peaceful, fair and democratic elections", which is the main goal of the technical government.

"Today is a better time where everything depends on us. A time for optimism, faith and belief in ourselves. For a government answer on how fast we will move towards the EU", Kovachevski said.

New Prime Minister Xhaferi said on his part that his government will continue to implement the set policies and the ministries will work transparently and efficiently no matter how long the Cabinet's life would be.

He reiterated the country's commitments stemming from the European Commission screening last year, which include the roadmap for reforms in the public administration and the action plan for the rule of law, as well as the preparation of a roadmap for the functioning of democratic institutions. "We stand behind the procedure for constitutional changes, that has already started, but constitutional changes are something for the Parliament to do and for the political entities, which need to find consensus - not a commitment for the government, Xhaferi said in response to a journalist's question.

The first two technical governments of North Macedonia served in January 2016 - May 2017 under Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev and in January-August 2020 under Oliver Spasovski. The main task of a technical government is to prepare the country for the next parliamentary elections. This time, the elections are scheduled for May 8, 2024.