Government, Opposition still with no Agreement over Law on SPO

The teams of the government and of the opposition held a new meeting for negotiations over the draft-law on the Special Public Prosecution (SPO), but once again failed to reach agreement over the law. The head of the governmental team, Justice Minister Renata Deskoska said that the government will never accept changes to the law text that contain a concealed amnesty for people prosecuted by SPO. “The devil is in the details, and we stand firm behind our positions; there must be rule of law, and all who have committed crimes must take responsibility and face punishment,” Deskoska said. The government and the opposition, led by VMRO-DPMNE, cannot reach an agreement over the Article 105 which regulates the prolongation of the processes initiated by SPO after the expiration of its mandate of 18 months in June 2017. In meantime, SPO Head Katica Janeva expressed hope that the parties will reach an agreement and that SPO will continue working as an independent institution. “I think there is always room for improvements and changes to the Law on SPO. According to the unofficial information I have, I am certain that the final resolution will be favourable for all sides, especially for SPO. I hope for another mandate for SPO, for we still have a lot to do,” Janeva said.