Newly elected leader of SDSM Dimitar Kovacevski and successor of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev addresses the media in Skopje, North Macedonia Dec 12, 2021.REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski/File PhotoSARAJEVO, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Dimitar Kovacevski, the new leader of North Macedonia's ruling Socialists, said on Tuesday that he had been confirmed by his party as the country's prime minister-designate following Zoran Zaev's formal resignation as premier last week. "As the SDSM president and new prime minister-designate, I will be led exclusively by principles of unity, responsibility, dedication and efficiency," Kovacevski said after the meeting. North Macedonia, which joined NATO last year, is also striving to become part of the European Union. read morePresident Stevo Pendarovski will officially endorse Kovacevski as prime minister-designate on Wednesday, local media reported, citing his office. Last week, Prime Minister Zaev formally filed his resignation to parliament after quitting as SDSM leader following his party's loss in mayoral elections in October.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 28, 2021 13:35 UTC