Macedonia's Weekly Political Report: Cabinet Reshuffle, EU Funds and Justice Debate
Prime Minister Mickoski announces a major cabinet reshuffle for Tuesday, June 30 — while Macedonia receives its largest-ever EU Growth Plan payout and the opposition accuses the government of monopolising the European agenda.
This Sunday marks the end of a politically charged week in Macedonia. From an imminent cabinet reshuffle to a record EU payout and a war of words over the judiciary — here is everything that mattered in Macedonian politics this week.
Cabinet Reshuffle — Tuesday, June 30
The biggest political story of the week is the announcement of a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, scheduled for Tuesday, June 30. The reshuffle follows two years in government and comes as the coalition — comprising VMRO-DPMNE, VLEN and ZNAM — redefines its priorities for the next phase of its mandate.
The most discussed expected change is the departure of Fatmir Limani from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. The final list of names and portfolio assignments is being decided by the VMRO-DPMNE Executive Committee, whose session is also set for Tuesday. The proposals will then be formally submitted to the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia for a vote.
The Prime Minister framed the reshuffle as a strategic move, not merely a personnel evaluation. He said the initial phase of "consolidating a system that was in deep deficit after the previous SDSM governments" is complete, and that the focus now shifts to delivering on the coalition's programme goals.
EU Growth Plan — Record Payout for Macedonia
On the European front, this week brought encouraging news. Ivanka Vasilevska, MP for VMRO-DPMNE, confirmed that Macedonia has received the largest financial support from the EU Growth Plan among all countries in the Western Balkans region this year — a direct result, she argued, of the government's commitment to implementing the reform agenda.
European institutions have confirmed Macedonia's dedication to the reform process, which has translated into tangible financial rewards. The funds are part of the broader EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, designed to accelerate economic convergence with the EU ahead of potential membership.
The Judiciary Debate
Prime Minister Mickoski also made headlines this week with sharp criticism of the state of the judiciary, describing the current situation as "brokering in law" rather than genuine rule of law. He specifically addressed the legacy of the former Special Public Prosecutor's Office (SJO), characterising it as a political instrument that left serious consequences.
Mickoski called on the current Public Prosecutor Nenad Saveski to address the affairs and bonuses within the SJO, describing it as a prerequisite for restoring citizens' trust in institutions. The remarks sparked a public response from Saveski, who disputed the characterisation in a statement that itself drew criticism for failing to cite the relevant legislation.
The Opposition Response
SDSM has continued to position itself as the primary advocate of Macedonia's European path, a framing that VMRO-DPMNE rejects. The governing party accuses SDSM of obstruction — pointing to the constitutional amendments required by Bulgaria as an example of opposition resistance to necessary reform steps. The week's political debate reflects the fundamental division that continues to define Macedonian politics: the government claims delivery, the opposition claims democratic backsliding.
All eyes now turn to Tuesday's Executive Committee session and the formal announcement of the new cabinet. Whether the reshuffle brings fresh momentum — or simply reshuffles familiar faces — will define the political narrative for the weeks ahead.
MKNews Hub · Politics · 28 June 2026