Progressive Alliance

The President of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Sergei Stanishev will attend the large anti-government protest organised by the Macedonian opposition, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday.

New Democracy on Friday slammed a new citizenship bill put up for public consultation as constituting an ?open invitation? to undocumented migrants.

All they would have to do, said spokesman Costas Karagounis, ?is enroll their child in first grade and automatically receive a residence permit for themselves and their family.?

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.

The leaders of the four biggest political parties in Macedonia have agreed to continue their talks on Monday to make another attempt to ease political tensions in the country, MIA news agency reported.

People cannot be peaceful without justice, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu has said, claiming that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) fails to live up to its name. 

The leaders of the four biggest political parties in Macedonia will meet on Thursday in a bid to reduce the political tensions, the country's private TV channel Telma has reported.

Former socialist minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos’ trial for defense procurements and money-laundering began again on Wednesday following an adjournment last month. Former socialist PASOK prime minister Costas Simitis and the current socialist PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos to the stand to testify ahead of the five-membered Felony Appeal Court.

Former Prime Minister Costas Simitis and current PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos are due to be among the witnesses to take to the stand on Wednesday in the appeal of ex-Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos against his sentence for money laundering.

Former socialist ministers Vasso Papandreou and Yiannos Papantoniou are due to testify on May 20.

Djukanovic expressed frustration on Monday that the smaller party in the ruling coalition, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, led by parliament speaker Ranko Krivokapic, has often voted with opposition MPs on important laws in recent years.