S&Ds strongly condemn president Ivanov’s decision and call on him to respect the constitution

Following the decision of the president of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, to again deny giving the mandate to Zoran Zaev, the agreed Prime Minister candidate between 4 parties with a parliamentary majority, the S&D Group condemns this refusal in the strongest terms. The S&D Group calls on the president to uphold Macedonia’s constitution and not make up excuses to prevent Zaev from assuming the office.

S&D MEP and vice-president Victor Boştinaru said:

“Now it is clear that president Ivanov, together with the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) Party, is doing everything, including using unconstitutional means, to prevent opposition from coming to power. This is completely unacceptable and Europe should act in the strongest way possible. The worst is that together they are fuelling nationalist sentiments, which can have unforeseen consequences. The first signs of these are already visible: journalists have been assaulted at VMRO-DPMNE supported rallies; more than 20 SDSM Party local headquarters have been attacked; SDSM MPs have been harassed - some of their houses vandalised and constantly monitored by unidentified individuals. We shall hold president Ivanov and the VMRO-DPMNE Party responsible for any escalation of the situation in the country.”

S&D MEP and shadow rapporteur on the country, Tonino Picula, added:

“It has been now proven that the VMRO-DPMNE Party will not refrain from any means to avoid being held responsible by the Special Prosecutor for their unlawful actions, which we could all hear on the wiretaps. Europe now has to clearly say that this is not acceptable, and call on president Ivanov to act in a responsible manner for the future of his country. We condemn that the president and the VMRP-DPMNE Party are fuelling ethnic tensions in the country just to stay in power with unlawful means. We call on them to respect the outcome of the elections and the fact that the opposition, together with Albanian parties, have formed a parliamentary majority.