VMRO DPMNE party
North Macedonia Reimposes Long Curfews as COVID Cases Spike
After another worrying peak in infections over the past few days, North Macedonia has ordered a full 80-hour lockdown of the capital, Skopje, and the towns of Tetovo, Kumanovo and Stip. Curfews there will start at 9 pm on Thursday and last until 5 am on Monday.
North Macedonia Party Accused of Playing With COVID Restrictions
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.
North Macedonia Activists Protest as Court Scraps Anti-Discrimination Law
LGBT and human rights activists in North Macedonia have voiced outrage after the Constitutional Court last week scrapped the new Anti-Discrimination Law passed last year, citing procedural omissions.
North Macedonia Postpones April Polls Over Pandemic
The heads of North Macedonia's main political parties met at the presidential palace in Skopje on Tuesday and agreed to postpone the early elections, which were originally slated for April 12.
The modalities for the postponement and a new election date have yet to be determined, however.
North Macedonia Parties ‘Almost Level’ Before Election: Survey
An opinion poll published on Monday by the International Republican Institute, IRI, a US-based democracy development organisation, suggested that North Macedonia's main ruling Social Democrats enjoy a very slight popularity advantage over their bitter rivals, the right-wing opposition VMRO DPNNE party.
Interview: North Macedonia’s System is Rigged Against New Parties
The people who have supported the formation of the new party are now also required to provide proof of citizenship, not older than six months.
Tortevski says that this demand is absurd and unnecessary because those who have signed notary statements have already legitimized themselves with their IDs or passports. "A non-citizen cannot have a passport or an ID," he notes.
Trial Starts of Organisers of North Macedonia Parliament Rampage
The trial has started in Skopje of those charged with organising a mob assault on parliament in North Macedonia in April 2017, aimed at preventing the then opposition Social Democrats from taking power.
North Macedonia Minister Faces Sack for “Name” Provocation
North Macedonia's Prime Minister, Oliver Spasovski, on Wednesday moved to axe Labour Minister Rashela Mizrahi from the caretaker government for her refusal to use the country's new official name in a press conference.
"The PM and the government have an obligation to secure protection of the constitution," the government said on Wednesday.
North Macedonia Minister Defends Right to Challenge “Name” Agreement
A minister in North Macedonia's technical government, formed to preside over the April elections, has defended her right to challenge the country's landmark agreement with Greece over its name, saying she was only correcting a historic injustice.
North Macedonia Opposition Plays Hardball on Prosecution Law
Unless the VMRO DPMNE party suddenly relents, last-ditch efforts to pass the EU-sought Law on the Prosecution look doomed to fail - potentially damaging the country's EU prospects.