North Macedonia’s Prime Minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski has presented the proposed composition of his new government cabinet following talks with coalition partners Vlen and ZNAM, after a meeting of the party’s executive committee, MIA reported on June 30.

The proposed cabinet reshuffle follows political negotiations aimed at consolidating the governing majority and restructuring responsibilities across coalition partners.

Mickoski announced several key ministerial changes and appointments, including Sašo Klekovski, current director of the Health Insurance Fund, as the new Minister of Health. Zlatko Perinski, the outgoing Minister of Local Self-Government, will take over Klekovski’s former position.

The newly established Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth will be led by Djoko Velkovski, currently serving as deputy minister. Ivan Stoiljkovic has been proposed as the new Minister of Local Self-Government. Erdjan Demir will serve as minister without portfolio, responsible for Roma inclusion strategy implementation.

Mickoski also confirmed that the post of deputy prime minister for good governance will be abolished, with its responsibilities transferred to the Prime Minister’s cabinet.

Several key ministries will retain their current leadership, including Panče Toškovski as Interior  Minister, Aleksandar Nikoloski as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Timčo Mucunski as Foreign Minister, Gordana Dimitrieska Kočoska as Finance Minister and Sanja Božinovska as Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources.

The ruling coalition is also set to expand, with the Democratic Party of Turks joining the VMRO-DPMNE-led alliance. The party will receive a ministerial post without portfolio.

Under coalition agreements, ZNAM will assume control of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, with current state secretary Borče Serafimovski proposed as minister. Goran Minčev will remain Minister of Public Administration.

Meanwhile, the ethnic Albanian Vlen coalition will take charge of several ministries, including justice, culture and tourism, and relations between communities, as well as oversight of environment, European affairs, economy and labour portfolios.