Page 52 - bne_July 2024_20240709
P. 52

 52 I Southeast Europe bne July 2024
 North Macedonia's new government headed by VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski. / sobranie.mk
name "Macedonia" after Siljanovska Davkova omitted the word "North" from the country's official oath in parliament.
Despite the controversy over the country’s name, changed to end a dispute with Greece that had blocked North Macedonia’s EU access progress, Mickoski said that securing EU membership would be the primary focus of the government.
Highlighting the priorities of his incoming government, Mickoski stressed a strong stance against crime and corruption as a top agenda item.
Mickoski announced plans for a substantial foreign investment in renewable energy within the first few days of his government's tenure, aimed at achieving energy independence for North Macedonia. The investment is valued at €400mn-€450mn.
digital transformation, Borko Ristovski for sports, Zoran Ljutkov for culture and tourism, and Vesna Janevska for education.
Mickoski has pledged to use the constitutional name of the country,
North Macedonia, internationally, but he has said that domestically he will continue to refer to the country as Macedonia, as has been customary.
Greek officials have issued multiple warnings against the use of the old
 New Croatian MEP arrives in Ferrari to “represent the little man” in Brussels
bne IntelliNews
Stjepo Bartulica, the first MEP elected from the rightwing Homeland Movement, caused a furore when he arrived at his party’s headquarters in a red Ferrari, before pledging to “represent the little man” in the European Parliament.
Photos widely published in the Croatian media show the politician’s red sports car parked outside the Homeland Movement’s campaign headquarters in the International Hotel on the evening of June 9.
Addressing party members gathered
to celebrate the party’s first MEP seat, Bartulica said that he will represent “the little man” in the European Parliament, not European bureaucrats.
Expanding on his agenda, Bartulica said his motto will be "Croatia first", and he plans to focus on migration.
www.bne.eu
"My big topic will be borders. Every country is sovereign and must be able to decide who to let in. We know that the asylum system is abused, that must change," said the politician, as quoted by Jutarni List.
He also referenced the victories for rightwing and far right parties in the elections which saw French President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party humiliated by a victorious far-right National Rally.
 Photos of Stjepo Bartulica's red Ferrari have been posted widely on social media. Croatia's 24Sata reported that the car in question cost €348,000. Source: 24Sata via Twitter.














































































   50   51   52   53   54