Protests in FYR Macedonia as European Commissioner visits the country

Thousands os people gathered in FYR Macedonia's capital city on 21 March 2017 to protest against a potential coalition government that would include social democtays and ethnic Albanian parties.

Protests were held as the European Union's Commissioner for Enlargement visited the country to meet with political leaders in an attempt to facilitate an agreement on the formation of a government.

This visit was followed by a visit of the President of the European Council on 3 April.

Macedonian president refused to task the social democrats with forming a government with the ethnic Albanic parties, following the announcement they had reached an agreement. The country struggled to form a government after the inconclusive parliamentary election held in December 2016.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in a state of uncertainty http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-former-yugoslav-republic-of-macedonia-in-a-state-of-uncertainty/

EurActiv, 22.03.17: Rise above political bickering, Hahn urges Macedonia leaders http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/rise-above-political-bickering-hahn-urges-macedonia-leaders/

Balkan Insight, 22.03.17: EU's Hahn Urges Speedy Formation of Macedonia Govt http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/eu-s-hahn-urges-for-speedy-formation-of-macedonia-s-govt--03-22-2017

EUObserver, 22.03.17: EU to Macedonia: 'Stop playing with fire' https://euobserver.com/foreign/137332

Balkan Insight, 21.03.17: EU's Hahn Makes Crisis-Solving Dash to Macedonia http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/hahn-in-crisis-solving-mission-to-macedonia-03-20-2017

Western European Balkans, 22.03.17: VMRO-DPMNE: Gruevski, Hahn talked for three hours https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2017/03/22/vmro-dpmne-gruevski-hahn-talked-for-three-hours/

EurActiv, 04.04.17: Tusk tells Macedonia, paralysed by political crisis, to focus on EU entry http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/tusk-tells-macedonia-paralysed-by-political-crisis-to-focus-on-eu-entry/

European Council: Statement, 03.04.17: Remarks by President Donald Tusk after his meeting with President of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/04/03-tusk-remarks-president-ivanov-skopje/

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