Zoran Zaev’s mini purge of the Government caused a second day of feisty debates in the Parliament, as Zaev and opposition representatives discussed the merits of the proposed candidates and of the Government’s policies.

All the key ministers involved in scandals with public procurement are still in the Government, said Nikola Micevski from VMRO-DPMNE, citing Zaev’s decision not to remove some of ministers perceived as most corrupt, as he promised.

Ilija Dimovski from VMRO-DPMNE asked Zaev whether it’s true that he removed the one major member of the Government, Finance Minister Dragan Tevdovski, because he refused to sign off on the bill to construct the major new clinic center. Zaev dismissed the claim, and said that Tevdovski was in favor of the construction project.

Zaev also defended the appointment of the much ridiculed new Culture Minister Husni Ismaili, who comes from an area that could not be further away from the culture – he’s a rheumatology doctor.

We are talking about a socially active person, who was active in the culture, is seen as a fighter in the areas where the culture is created and I hope he will continue to implement the cultural instructions, Zaev said.

The Prime Minister insisted that the validation of his choices would come at the next general elections, when, Zaev said, his SDSM party will win.