SkopjeDiem Macedonia in English
On Sunday, during a visit to Tetovo, PM Hristijan Mickoski said the ruling coalition was stable. He declined to comment on speculation that Arben Taravari would leave VLEN and didn’t answer the question as to whether the ethnic Albanian coalition partner had asked him to remove him from the position of Health Minister in the event of him leaving.
Though two other VLEN co-leaders, Izet Mexhiti and Bilall Kasami, accompanied the PM during the Tetovo visit, they didn’t comment on the PM’s claims.
Regarding DUI’s allegations about degradation of ethnic Albanians, Mickoski stated that such stands didn’t have the weight to be commented.
“DUI is imposing ethnic tensions because investigations are underway against their officials”, Mickoski stressed.
The same day, before the session of the assembly of his Alliance for Albanians wing, Taravari said it was still part of VLEN and that an attempt would be made to find a joint solution. He denied that there would be reunification with Ziadin Sela’s wing even though he showed up to the meeting together with Isen Shabani, who was part of the latter’s wing.
Taravari explained that Shabani had joined his wing and would most likely be a candidate in the Vrapciste mayoral race in the local elections.
At the meeting of the assembly, Taravari’s wing passed a resolution calling for an independent investigation regarding the Kocani fire, as well as for the investigations over previous tragedies (the Tetovo hospital fire and Laskarci and Struma bas accidents) to be reopened.
Also on Sunday, the PM said there would soon be new information regarding the Tetovo Hospital, Laskarci, and Struma cases. Mickoski stated that that was among the main topics he’d discussed with SDSM leader Venko Filipche three days prior.
Everyone who broke the law will be held to account, Mickoski emphasised.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office declined to comment, saying only that it was about different processes opened and initiated at different time periods.
