SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE close to Reaching deal on Date for early Elections

SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE are close to reaching a deal on a date for early elections. Compromise is being sought between the opposition’s demand for April or May and the ruling structure’s offer of October 2020. The opposition is satisfied that the authorities have started to think about elections before the regular period, that is, December 2020. On Monday, VMRO-DPMNE spokesperson Naum Stoilkovski, as had been the case with his party’s leader, Hristijan Mickoski, the previous day, didn’t reveal whether the party would insist on a return of the majority model or on reducing the number of electoral districts. According to the VMRO-DPMNE, what matters is for the OSCE/ODIHR’s remarks to be accepted. SDSM, too, is insisting on that. The ruling party said it regretted that there was no opportunity for the issues to be raised at a leaders’ meeting because of Mickoski’s refusal. Both parties have confirmed that working groups meet and try to reach a deal on election legislation reform.