Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Thursday that MPs will have the opportunity to vote for the law on fair representation, that everyone has the right to use their native language, but someone is trying to create ethnic conflict where there is none, thereby setting a bad example.
“Very soon you will have the opportunity here in Parliament to vote for the Law on Fair Representation, where percentages are not important, but quality. I expect support from you. And I know many Albanians, many, believe me, many, maybe even more than you who are my family friends, close comrades, who do not want to see themselves through percentages,”Mickoski said from the Parliament’s rostrum.
The PM was answering a question from MP SkenderRexhepi from the European Front (DUI) about whether he would support constitutional amendments related to language policy.
“Regarding the bar exam, if you have read the law, you will read there that the language of the exam is not regulated by the law, but rather by the minister. How many ministers of justice have been from the coalition you support, why didn’t they regulate it? Because you are hypocritical, because you are patriots from Ali Express, when you are in opposition, and in government you promote green eco-agendas. When you are in opposition, you want to create ethnic conflict where there is none,” said Prime Minister Mickoski.
MP Rexhepi spoke about the 20 percent criterion related to the Albanian language, but also about alleged insults expressed towards Albanians. He mentioned Israel and other countries, as well as the Venice Commission, which he claimed is not consulted in European countries when passing laws.
Mickoski, as Prime Minister, distanced himself from Rexhepi’s views that Israel is a genocidal state, as well as that the Venice Commission is an informal body. He also emphasizes that when the MP talks about a multiethnic state, he should also condemn the insults expressed towards ethnic Macedonians at sports competitions and the recent booing of the national anthem, as well as the failure to carry the Macedonian flag by people who protested against taking the bar exam in Albanian.
