Macedonia: No rights for Albanians, no government

mesdimr

March 13, 2008 / Vargmal

Following the DPA move, the PDP (Democratic Prosperity Party) too announced on Thursday on leaving the government coalition. The party says that the action was necessitated taking into account the situation created within the coalition. “We consider this to be for the best of fairly protecting the legitimate interests of Albanians, who strive for real and equal integration” party officials said.

The EU ambassador, Ervan Fuere, declared that only a united government could enter into negotiations for membership in the EU. According to him, the message of unity is what he sent during the meeting with DPA and BDI leaders, Menduh Thaçi and Ali Ahmeti.

Asked for the option of “wide coalition” he instructed PM Nikola Gruevski, that while knowing that this topic has been discussed within the coalition, the BDI, LSDM and PRSD parties are restrained about this option or any other forms of government. The BDI, meanwhile, will make a statement on Friday on claims heard during the last days about forming a wide coalition and eventually the party joining the coalition.

LSDM has asked of PM Gruevksi to state in public that a government exists and what will its next steps be.

“The DPA must clearly define it’s position and not threaten, while Gruevski must absolutely, after being away for a week, tell the public opinion if there is a government in Macedonia, who is leading it, who is supporting it and what are the next steps up to April 2nd” said LSDM secretary Radmila Shekerinska.

The leader of PRSD, Tito Petkovski, said that the move of DPA to leave the government is not a good move given that this was done in an inappropriate moment.

The president of the state, Branko Crvenkovski said that the country is in a deep political crisis and for this reason he called for a meeting of the party leaders up to Monday, in order to find a solution to the crisis.

“Premature elections and an eventual wide coalition would not solve the crisis in Macedonia” said Crvenkovski. According to him the move of the DPA to leave the coalition means that Macedonia is, in fact, without a government.