Brussels | Tirana Echo – The EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn has said today in Brussels that Macedonia’s leaders must respect the outcome of the elections and let those who form a parliamentary majority to let democracy run its course.
The calles come as Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov refused to grant social democratic leader Zoran Zaev to form a new government after he had secured enough votes in parliament for a social democratic led coalition together with Albanian parties.
“We have repeatedly stated that all leaders of the country, including the President, must respect the outcome of the recent elections. In a democracy, one must acknowledge parliamentary majorities, even if one doesn’t like them“, said Hahn in a statement tonight.
Hahn’s comments come as EU chief diplomat Federica Mogherini is traveling in the region planning to visit Macedonia tomorrow. The EU has been actively involved in finding a solution to Macedonia’s ongoing political crisis, amid criticism it is failing to produce a long lasting peaceful solution for the ethnically divided small Balkan country.
Last month US Congressman Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) angered Macedonian leaders for saying that “Macedonia is not a country” and that it should be divided up into slices.
Other republican congressmen have also called for an inquiry into US Ambassador to Skopje accusing him of influencing the election. outcome.
Earlier on this evening, Macedonia’s President Ivanov refused to grant social democratic leader Zoran Zaev the governing mandate, claiming the SDSM leader had the potential to “destroy the country” by accepting the demands of the country’s ethnic Albanian parties.
“The constitution and my conscience forbid me from extending a mandate to anyone who destroys the sovereignty and integrity of Macedonia,” Ivanov said, adding that Zaev must first publicly reject a “platform coming from a foreign country”, presumably referring to Albania.
The decision slides the country further into political turmoil and risks blocking Macedonia in a constitutional crisis.
Following the meeting with Ivanov, SDSM leader Zaev said that “Ivanov has performed a coup. He has pushed Macedonia into a constitutional and national crisis by denying the will of the majority of citizens and by preventing a legal and legitimate transfer of power”.
EU high officials worry that their investment may fail and that Macedonia may slide into an uncontrollable spiral.
“I expect all political leaders and institutions to let the democratic process run its course – in the interest of the country’s citizens” said Hahn.
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