After Wednesday’s twin elections concluded with a triumphant victory for the right-wing VMRO DPMNE party and a crushing defeat for the pro-European Social Democrats, the conservative winners are planning their return to government after spending seven years in opposition.

On Wednesday evening, VMRO DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski hinted he will not waste time in forming a new cabinet.

He told media that he intends to invite all the other opposition parties for talks sooner rather than later, to try and find common ground over principles, “the main one being core societal values like respecting the citizens”.

“That does not mean that all of them will be part of the future government led by our coalition,” he pointed out.

Despite his somewhat ambiguous statement, on the ground, the contours of the new government cabinet are already taking shape.