Politics of the Republic of Macedonia

Experts say the possible resignation of ethnic Albanian ministers from Macedonia's provisional government would increase the "pressure" for the formation of a new government but would not necessarily resolve the current crisis.

Diplomats and political analysts say that it is becoming increasingly certain that the US and European governments may soon resort to various sanctions against Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov and former Prime Minister and leader of the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE, Nikola Gruevski.

Ivanov and Gruevski are continuing to block the formation of an opposition-led government.

The Albanian ambassador in Skopje was on Monday "called to a meeting at Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the ministry has announced.

The reason are "the frequent offensive statements and comments by officials of the Republic of Albania, addressed to the Republic of Macedonia and its citizens."

SDSM leader Zoran Zaev says it is "a lie" that "Macedonia will sue Serbia for genocide."

He told the Belgrade based daily Danas in an interview that these "lies were made up in order to cause a quarrel with the friendly Serbian people."

Parliament has two topics on its agenda: The election of a commission for appointments, which was agreed on last Thursday between the political parties, as well as the election of a new speaker.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in FYROM's (Macedonia) capital, Skopje, Tuesday to protest a visit by a European Union envoy who is trying to break the political deadlock that has left the country without a government for three months.

We pointed out very clearly and directly that there is external interference in the creation of the crisis in the Republic of Macedonia.

Thousands of angry protestors took to the streets of FYROM after EU officials allegedly tried to meddle in the nation’s domestic politics.

Demonstrators took to the capital of Skopje chanting “Macedonia! Macedonia!”. What started this reaction was that the EU commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Johannes Hahn reportedly rejected proposals to meet with nationalists.

After meeting with key political leaders, Hahn urged Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, with whom he failed to meet during his stay, to respect the constitution and not to obstruct the mandate which would allow the formation of the opposition-led government.

Ivanov's office confirmed on Tuesday that President Ivanov, who is currently on his way back from Hungary, will not return in time to meet Hahn, and insisted that it had already informed Brussels.