Northern Macedonia: Opposition secures majority in Parliament, leading to fall of government

LAST UPDATE: 18.20

Opposition parties in northern Macedonia, along with a small Albanian party still in power, have agreed to the ouster of the government, which consists mainly of Zoran Zaef’s Social Democratic Party (SDSM) and Ali Ahmeti’s Albanian DUI.

The leader of the main opposition party, VMRO-DPMNE, Christian Mickoski, said today that his party, along with the Levica (Left) party and the Albanian Alliance for Albanians and BESA, had secured a 61-seat parliamentary majority. which, as he said, “guarantees that this government under SDSM belongs to the past”.

The Parliament of Northern Macedonia has a total of 120 seats.

The formation of a new parliamentary majority was made possible by the ostensible departure from the government of the small Albanian party “BESA”, which has four deputies.

Christian Mickowski also said that in the near future he will try to form a new government, provided that, as he said, “the conditions are created and there are guarantees for a stable and reformist government”. Otherwise, as he said, the only solution for the country is to hold early parliamentary elections as soon as possible.

The leader of VMRO-DPMNE also stated that the resignation of Zoran Zaef and his government is expected on Monday.

These developments come after the heavy defeat of the Social Democratic Party in last Sunday’s municipal elections and the statement of Zoran Zaef that he will resign as Prime Minister of the country.

Reactions to the new parliamentary majority announced by the opposition

The reactions of the parties of the ruling coalition of Northern Macedonia were intense after the announcement earlier today by the opposition, for the formation of a new parliamentary majority, which according to the opposition, leads to the fall of the government.

The ruling Social Democratic Party (SDSM) of ousted Prime Minister Zoran Zaef, in a statement, accused the leader of the opposition party VMRO-DPMNE Christian Mickoski that he is only interested in power and has no political agenda.

“We will see these days if a new anti-democratic, anti-NATO and anti-European government is elected, a government against Prespa and if Mickoski has the skills and responsibility. The SDSM is on the side of the people, on the side of the national interest and progress. “We call on all progressive democratic forces and all MPs who are in favor of our country’s European future, justice and economic progress to work together and stand responsibly on the side of democratic choice,” the SDSM statement said.

Ali Ahmeti, leader of DUI, the largest Albanian party in the ruling coalition in northern Macedonia, said in a post on social media that he was in contact with all parties in the country except those opposed to the Ohrid Accords. , Prespa, in the friendship agreement of Northern Macedonia-Bulgaria, as well as in the Euro-Atlantic future of the country, in order to manage the situation.

Earlier in the day, VMRO-DPMNE leader Christian Mickoski said his party, along with the Levica (Left) party and the Albanian Alliance for Albanians and BESA, had secured a parliamentary majority of 61 (out of 120). which numbered the entire Parliament) which, as he said, “guarantees that this government under the SDSM belongs to the past”.

With information from ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ