Pendarovski: Party Leaders’ Meeting Probably Around First Half of May

The Office of the President of Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski reported on Saturday that Pendarovski intends to call on the leaders of the greatest political parties in Macedonia for a party leader’s meeting around the first half of May. According to Pendarovski’s Office, main points of discussion at this meeting would be the further proceedings of political processes in the country, as well as the organisation of parliamentary election, which was to take place on 12 April but was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Pendarovski’s announcement follows the calls of VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski, who insisted on a party leaders’ meeting in order to discuss the reassembling of the Parliament, for which SDSM already started an initiative signed by 35 MPs. “I call on the President to schedule a leaders’ meeting as soon as possible, in order to prevent tensions from rising and burdening the public. People are anxious enough about the pandemic and the economic risks the situation brings. Let leaders meet and show their cards,” Mickoski said. Caretaker PM Oliver Spasovski on the other hand believes that the present time is not the right one for discussing matters like parliamentary election, adding that the health of citizens should now be top priority for everyone. “We don’t know how long this health and economic crisis will last and what decisions will have to be made. Therefore, it’s only logical that we demonstrate political responsibility and make sure Parliament can act if the need arises. I expect all political stakeholders will rise to the challenge and make decisions in the best interest of the people and country, and not based on political calculations,” Spasovski said, his positions being backed by SDSM. From VMRO-DPMNE they accused SDSM of being afraid of an electoral defeat. “By rejecting the calls for party leaders’ meeting, SDSM demonstrates utter irresponsibility when it comes to important state issues. No one in VMRO-DPMNE referred snap election, but SDSM keeps on with false interpretations. They are hypocritical, stating that they allegedly care for the health of the citizens, but in secret they keep on making political moves in order to solidify their position in power,” writes the reaction of VMRO-DPMNE.