Skopje, 26 January 2023 (MIA) – The Alliance for Albanians (AA) is set to hold a meeting of the party’s presidency on Friday. At the meeting, the party is expected to set up a team for negotiations over joining the government, AA told MIA.  

“The party’s next meeting will be held tomorrow in its central offices in Tetovo. Political developments will be discussed among other things. The agenda also includes the Central Assembly’s decision over setting up a negotiating team. The party will inform the public about the decisions in a press release after the meeting,” said the AA.  

Prime Minister and SDSM leader Dimitar Kovachevski, DUI leader Ali Ahmeti and Alternativa leader Afrim Gashi held a meeting at the Government on Wednesday, Alternativa told MIA.  

According to the party, Kovachevski and Ahmeti have explained to Gashi that the need for the Alliance for Albanians joining the government is towards a more functional Parliament, i.e. for the majority to be able to convene a quorum, and what the three government partners can do in that regard. At the meeting, Gashi has not been asked to give up a specific ministry, but the wording “what can we do for the Alliance to join the government”, makes it clear that the three parties should give up one ministerial post each, said the party.  

“At the meeting, Gashi reiterated the position that Alternativa already has an agreement with SDSM for government and that he expects that agreement to be fulfilled. He noted that even after a year has passed since the agreement, neither all program nor personnel solutions agreed upon have been implemented, i.e. 15 personnel positions have not been filled. Gashi asked why conclude a new agreement now for the Alliance to join the government and what are the guarantees that it will be implemented, when the agreement between Gashi and ex-prime minister Zoran Zaev has not yet been fulfilled,” Alternativa said.  

Kovachevski said in a statement to the media earlier that he has discussed and will discuss with coalition partners about topics that are significant for the government.  

“I also had talks with Alternativa, i.e. with its leader, because we have regular meetings, but we haven’t discussed details about a new partner joining the government, because such details have not been discussed with a potential new partner. This was also confirmed by the AA leader, that we are political parties, including the AA, which are in favor of continuing the country’s European path, but we have not discussed specific program and personnel details,” said Kovachevski, adding that if such talks take place, government coalition partners will also be consulted. 

Photo: MIA archive