| Series Title | In Focus |
|---|---|
| Series Details | May 2017 |
| Publication Date | 17/05/2017 |
| Content Type | News |
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Further information: This decision addresses the aspirations of the Social Democrats, who sought to form a government following an agreement with the biggest Albanian party over a law backing broader use of their language in the country. Albanian parties in the country emerged as kingmakers, following a parliamentary election held in December 2016 which provided inconclusive results. The Social Democrats (SDSM) came second in the poll but managed to gather a parliamentary majority with the support of a number of Albanian parties (DUI, Besa and the Alliance for the Albanians). The Macedonian President initially refused to hand a mandate for this coalition to form a government over concerns it would endanger the country's territorial and cultural integrity. The coalition managed to elect a new parliamentary speaker, an episode which resulted in violence within the chamber. The decision to provide a mandate to the Social Democrats appeared after the party pledged to protect FYR Macedonia's 'constitutional order and territorial integrity', while also dropping the plan to make Albanian an official language.A new government was finally appointed in Macedonia on 31 May 2017, over five months after parliamentary elections took place in December 2016. The President of FYR Macedonia had decided on 17 May 2017 to hand a mandate to the leader of the main opposition party, Zoran Zaev so he could form a government. Stakeholders hoped this decision would bring to an end the long-running social and political unrest affecting the country. The European Union and the United States welcomed the formation of a government. |
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| Countries / Regions | North Macedonia |
