Macedonian president refuses to give mandate to opposition as it reaches close to an agreement

The leader of FYR Macedonia's main opposition party - the Social Democrats - announced on 23 February 2017 he expected to be able to form a new government, following an agreement with the biggest Albanian party over a law backing broader use of their language in the country.

The agreement between the Social Democrats and the Albanian parties was expected to be concluded in early March. However, further tension arose on 1 March as the opposition leader accused the country's president of fomenting a coup by refusing to give him the mandate to form a new government.

Different stakeholders have later warned against the involvement of external actors in the political crisis.

The election of December 2016 was held as part of a EU-brokered deal between Macedonia's four main political parties aimed at ending a long-running political crisis. The neck-and-neck results meant that ethnic Albanian parties emerged as kingmakers.

ESO: Background information: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in a state of uncertainty http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-former-yugoslav-republic-of-macedonia-in-a-state-of-uncertainty/

ESO: Background information: Crisis drags on as Macedonia fails to form government http://www.europeansources.info/record/crisis-drags-on-as-macedonia-fails-to-form-government/

Balkan Insight, 24.02.17: VMRO-DPMNE Predicts 'Tension' if Opposition Runs Macedonia http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/fear-of-tensions-over-new-govt-grips-macedonia-02-24-2017

Balkan Insight, 23.02.17: Macedonia Opposition Looks Closer to Forming Govt http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonia-step-closer-to-new-govt-02-23-2017

Politico, 27.02.17: EU, NATO urge Macedonian leader to allow new government http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-nato-urge-macedonian-leader-to-allow-new-government/

EurActiv, 02.03.17: Macedonian president accused of fomenting ‘coup’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/macedonian-president-accused-of-fomenting-coup/

Balkan Insight, 01.03.17: Macedonia Opposition Accuses President of Attempted Coup http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonia-opposition-accuses-president-of-attempted-coup-03-01-2017

B92, 02.03.17: Macedonian president refuses to give mandate to Zaev http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region.php?yyyy=2017&mm=03&dd=02&nav_id=100652

BBC News, 01.03.17: Macedonia's president blocks new coalition government http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39132147

EurActiv, 03.03.17: Russia accuses NATO, EU and Albania of meddling in Macedonia http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/russia-accuses-nato-eu-and-albania-of-meddling-in-macedonia/

EUObserver, 03.03.17: EU and Russia step into Macedonia crisis https://euobserver.com/foreign/137100

Politico, 07.03.17: Macedonia sinks deeper into post-election limbo http://www.politico.eu/article/post-election-limbo-deepens-macedonian-stand-off-gjorge-ivanov/

EurActiv, 08.03.17: Macedonian president warns EU, NATO of Albanian meddling http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/macedonian-president-warns-eu-nato-of-albanian-meddling/

EurActiv, 13.03.17: Macedonia’s political crisis takes ethnic turn http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/macedonias-political-crisis-takes-ethnic-turn/

EurActiv, 17.03.17: Albania warns Macedonia not to bring ethnic twist to crisis http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/albania-warns-macedonia-not-to-bring-ethnic-twist-to-crisis/

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