Fresh Talks on Macedonia Crisis Put on Hold

After optimistic reports of a way out of the political crisis in Macedonia, fresh crisis talks planned for Friday have been cancelled.

Ali Ahmeti the head of the junior ruling party, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, told media: "There won't be a meeting of the leaders today", avoiding further explanation. He spoke after a meeting with the visiting US congressman Eliot Engel in parliament.

After Monday's talks ended in stalement, Macedonian political leaders were due to meet again on Friday in the fresh hope of reaching an agreement on a transition government to lead the country into early elections.

The key question is whether the Prime Minister and VMRO DPMNE leader, Nikola Gruevski, will step down ahead of the polls, which must take place by next April.

The format of Friday's meeting had been to remain the same as before: Prime Minister Gruevski from the VMRO DPMNE party, opposition Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev, Ali Ahmeti, head of the junior ruling DUI, and Menduh Thaci, head of the opposition Democratic Party of Albanians.

The EU and American ambassadors to Macedonia, Aivo Orav and Jess Baily, were expected to be present as well.

Reports of intense consultations taking place away from the public eye, facilitated by the EU and US ambassadors, boosted hopes of a possible breakthrough.

Unofficially, several options remain on the table if and when new talks are held.

One is that the opposition obtain several key ministries, including Finance, Interior, and possibly Social Policy and Agriculture, as well as leading positions in the Public Revenue Office, UJP, and in the national broadcaster, Macedonian Radio and Television, MRTV.

"This would address the opposition's fear that...