North Macedonia Elections to Go Ahead Despite Coronavirus Fears

Leaders of the main parties in North Macedonia agreed that elections would go ahead as planned on April 12 after meeting on Thursday in the office of the caretaker Prime Minister, Oliver Spasovski.

"We have not talked [about postponing elections] because we think there is no need at this moment for such decisions," Spasovski said after the meeting, adding that, based on new developments, they might reconvene to discuss this issue.

Spasovski said that political leaders had agreed that all parties should adhere to the safety measures issued by institutions to curb the spread of the disease, including limiting election rallies and focusing more on campaigning on social networks.

"We discussed all possible aspects and consequences of this situation. We agreed that people's health comes above everything," Spasovski said.

He said leaders had also assumed a responsibility to appeal to their supporters not to spread fake and unchecked information online in the sensitive period before the official start of the election campaign that could cause panic or further complicate matters.

As the number of persons infected with the coronavirus in North Macedonia rose from seven to nine, the country on Thursday stepped up safety measures.

The government has restricted the opening hours of cafes and restaurants, closed schools and kindergartens, unnecessary shops, cinemas and children's playhouses, and has banned public gatherings.

The head of the main ruling Social Democratic Party, SDSM, Zoran Zaev, on Wednesday said that while all options remained open, for now he was not convinced that postponing the elections was necessary.

The April 12 elections will pit his Social Democrat-led alliance against a rightist bloc led by the main...