SDSM

Macedonia has set next year's budget, which entered parliament this week, at about 3.35 billion euros, with revenues estimated at about 3.05 billion euros.

This means that the government plans to spend 175 million euros more - 5.5 per cent more - than it did last year. It also means a deficit equal to 3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

The ruling VMRO DPMNE of former prime minister Nikola Gruevski has denied accusations it is practically suspending political pluralism in Macedonia by insisting on competing in June 5 elections alone.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, in a letter sent to the leaders of Macedonia's four main political parties during the Orthodox Easter and May Day holidays, calls for renewed talks.

Civil associations and opposition parties led by the Social Democratic Party, SDSM, announced protests for Wednesday and Thursday following the President's surprise decision to pardon all politicians under investigation.

"This decision represents a classic breach of the legal system of the country," SDSM leader Zoran Zaev said on Wednesday, calling on people to join mass protests.

Heavy police forces were deployed in the centre of Skopje on Tuesday amid fears that violence might break out between the two rival protests.

The first, which began in front of the government building and was due to end in front of the Constitutional Court, was organized by civic organizations and supported by the main opposition Social Democratic Party, SDSM.

Macedonia's four main political parties on Friday reached consensus on power sharing in the period until the snap elections now confirmed for April 24 of next year.

Opposition Social Democrats, SDSM leader Zoran Zaev told a press conference on Friday that after the planned mass rally, a non-stop sit-in protest will maintain the pressure on Gruevski and his government.

Ali Ahmeti, the main coalition partner to PM Nikola Gruevski's government in Macedonia, has openly called on citizens to attend peaceful protests.

"All of you, take to the streets to protest on Sunday," BGNES wire service quotes him as saying in an interview with Alsat-M TV channel.

A photoreporter and a police officer have been injured in Wednesday's protests in Macedonian capital Skopje as demonstrators gathered for a second night to demand that the government stepped down.

Wednesday's gathering in front of the Macedonian Parliament was more peaceful that the previous one, which on Tuesday evening left dozens wounded.

Over 2,000 protesters clashed with Macedonian police officers in the center of the capital Skopje, as they demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister.

The main reason for the turmoil was a wiretapping scandal that involves Macedonian PM and leader of nationalist VMRO-DPMN party Nikola Gruevski, Reuters reported.