Social Democratic Union of Macedonia

Early general elections in North Macedonia, which were put on hold due to the COVID-19 crisis, will be held on July 15, the head of the main ruling Social Democrats, SDSM, Zoran Zaev, said on Monday, after striking a deal with the opposition parties.

Dull Race

Serbia is heading into a Parliamentary election on June 21, yet there has rarely been less excitement or political fervour around it. Perhaps hardly surprising given that there is even less doubt than usual as to who the winner will be, or indeed prospect for any change.

The decision of the government of North Macedonia to scrap movement restrictions, starting Wednesday, and gradually reopen cafes on Thursday, has drawn criticism that the move is driven mainly by the ruling party's quest for early elections rather than being based on real assessments of the health situation.

Leaders of the main parties in North Macedonia agreed that elections would go ahead as planned on April 12 after meeting on Thursday in the office of the caretaker Prime Minister, Oliver Spasovski.

Heating Up

Moment of Truth

Zoran Zaev, until recently the Prime Minister of North Macedonia and leader of the ruling SDSM, faces his moment of truth on April 12th as Macedonian voters are set to go to the polls to pass judgement on his government. While having achieved a great deal in the foreign policy realm, his government has disappointed expectations on the domestic front.

The Parliament of Northern Macedonia passed the law on the state prosecutor's office and dissolved itself - less than two months until the next elections.

North Macedonia's parliament was set to start a plenary session on the law on the prosecution later on Monday in a shortened procedure aimed at trying to pass the law by Sunday, when parliament is due to dissolve ahead of early general elections on April 12.

High Deals

The announcement this week of the launch of flights between Belgrade and Pristina operated by Lufthansa caused much more attention than a regular announcement regarding the opening of a new airline route. Not surprising given that it took seeming mediation by US diplomats to facilitate the restoration of flights.

"The government has been working since 8.30 a.m., I have signed my resignation, in accordance with the agreement (for the elections) and the Law on Government. I believe that it will reach the Parliament very soon, which can then start the procedure for electing a transitional government", Zaev said.