Skopje, 11 January 2023 (MIA) – After Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj raised the idea of forming a broad pre-election coalition to support the country’s EU integration process, MIA asked political parties for their position on this issue.

According to Marichikj, the broad coalition would include all parties except for VMRO-DPMNE and Levica, and would be formed with the aim of creating a broad coalition of political parties that support North Macedonia’s swift EU accession. Deputy PM Marichikj told 360° that SDSM is a big, serious and responsible party with a clear goal and plan – focus on the European path.

On the issue of a broad coalition in the interest of the EU accession process, SDSM told MIA that the party’s position is identical to the one expressed by Marichikj.

SDSM’s coalition partner, DUI told MIA that at this crucial moment they are interested in a broad, pro-European front of all the political parties that have the country’s EU integration process as a priority.

“At this crucial time, we are interested in building a broad pro-European front that will manage all issues facing the country and society. The next elections are in 2024, and there is time until then. Right now, we are fully focused on fulfilling our program commitments. A broad pro-European front means the inclusion of all political parties, NGOs and experts who see the country’s EU integration process as a priority,” DUI said.

In his interview, Deputy PM Marichikj did not say if the Alliance for Albanians (AA) would join the Government but added “there was readiness and ideas for this” while noting that the move would depend on the talks and will of political leaders.

On the other hand, AA told MIA they are not currently negotiating to join the Government coalition, adding for the time being “they are in a coalition only with the citizens” and are not considering other forms.

“The political parties right now should concentrate on working towards the adoption of the constitutional amendments, the reforms and the beginning of negotiations with the EU. These processes should not be halted by anything,” AA told MIA.

The party noted that they constantly support the EU integration process.

“When it comes to the EU integration process, AA has been supporting it throughout, and in a few cases, like the ‘French proposal’, we were a decisive factor that saved the vote when the majority lacked a quorum,” said AA.

The BESA Movement told MIA it does not comment on the positions and the strategies of other parties.

“The support for the BESA Movement and its unique policies is growing daily and our goal is to be the winner in the Albanian bloc,” the party said.

Opposition party VMRO-DPMNE said it believed the Government “in the absence of the citizens’ trust,” is attempting to win over politicians “in exchange for ministerial or directorial positions.”

“It’s a European standard for the government and the Prime Minister to be chosen by the citizens at elections, unlike Kovachevski and Ahmeti’s belief that the state officials should be the ones choosing a government for the people. Since the government can’t win over the trust of the majority of the citizens, it is probably trying to win over a handful of politicians in exchange for ministerial or directorial positions. Regardless, a government that does not have the legitimacy of the people usually also lacks the capacity to work in the interest of the people, and sooner or later such governments fall,” the party told MIA.

In his interview, Marichikj said that any idea and concept for a broad front of political parties supporting key reforms, North Macedonia’s swift EU accession and removal of all barriers on that path is something worth contemplating.

“I think these ideas that imply enlargement of the front for changes and a European Macedonia, a front open for all those who sincerely believe in the country’s European future, is worth contemplating,” said Marichikj. ad/ik/