Skopje, 24 January 2024 (MIA) – I will act in line with the regulations from the moment I assume my duties, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi, who is expected to resign on Thursday and be the prime minister in the caretaker government set to be elected by Parliament on Sunday, told Sloboden Pechat in a podcast on Wednesday.

Xhaferi stressed that according to the deadlines, the entire procedure over the caretaker government should finish on Sunday.

“I have information over what will be happening because I am a part of the plans for the implementation of the caretaker government. The Speaker of Parliament acts as a coordinator between officials. We had the appropriate coordination with the Prime Minister in order to agree on dates, deadlines, procedures that need to be implemented. The procedures will follow one after the other. I will act in line with the regulations from the moment I assume my duties,” said Xhaferi.

Asked if he would mind if VMRO-DPMNE’s MPs don’t vote for the caretaker government, Xhaferi said the lawmakers are free to make their decisions.

“I’ve been elected as Speaker of Parliament in two terms. Whether they voted or not hasn’t changed anything in our relations,” said Xhaferi.

Xhaferi recalled that the caretaker government, as a practice, was established with the Przhino Agreement, which states that in the 2016 elections and any other future elections, the principle of establishing a temporary caretaker government will apply in order to ensure an acceptable election process, as well as everyone’s participation in the preparation and holding of elections.

“In that context, the dilemma over having or not having a caretaker government is an issue that should be solved and could have been solved at the beginning of this term or the next one,” said Xhaferi.

Photo: MIA Archive