Zoran Zaev, leader of the opposition SDSM party, met with Belgian Ambassador to Macedonia Anick Van Calster on Friday, to discuss the implementation of the political agreement. Zaev said that SDSM wants to see a new Government formed as soon as possible, in order to prepare fair and credible elections.
"Primarily it would mean determining the voting registry and balanced media reporting. This is feasible quickly and practically, with political will. Elections could be held in Autumn. Citizens need to have a stable and honest Government elected in credible elections", said Zaev.
SDSM was part of the Government that was preparing early elections, initially scheduled for 24 April, and later for 5 June, but after SDSM refused to participate and these elections were cancelled, it's representatives were voted out of the Government. The political agreement provides that SDSM will assume several Government posts ahead of the elections, and the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party insists that SDSM first firmly commits to a date for elections and acknowledges that conditions for holding the vote have been met.
At the meeting, Zaev also welcomed the withdrawal of pardons given to politicians from both VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM, as a step toward justice and peaceful resolution of the crisis. Zaev also asked for ending a constitutional challenge for the Special Prosecutor's Office, that is up before the Constitutional Court.