Skopje, 27 November 2023 (MIA) - The political parties represented in the Parliament need to reach a consensus on the possible election date within the framework of constitutional and legal deadlines. If May 8 is deemed acceptable for the second round of presidential and parliamentary elections, then the elections would be announced no later than February 28. The caretaker government should be formed by January 28, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi said on Monday.

If the elections are held on May 8, and in compliance with constitutional and legal deadlines, the inauguration of the President of the country could take place on May 12. The constitutive session of the Parliament would be held 20 days after the elections, by May 28, while the new Government is expected to be formed by the end of June 2024.

The Parliament, as Xhaferi stated, is open to a meeting for a final agreement on the elections, but their activities and deadlines need to be considered as well.

“If we consider the speculation that May 8 would be acceptable for holding both regular presidential and parliamentary elections, then the deadlines fall within a range of at least 70 to a maximum of 90 days from the announcement to the conduct of the elections. Then the elections would be announced around February 27-28. If the elections are held jointly on May 8 arising from the Przino Agreement, a caretaker government should be formed by January 27-28,” Xhaferi noted.

The new Rules of Procedure of the Parliament will come into effect with the new parliamentary composition.
In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the election of the Parliament Speaker is scheduled for the third day of the constitutive session. Following this, the newly elected Speaker will notify the President of the country they have secured a majority, following which, in accordance with the Constitution, the President will hand over the mandate to form the government.

Regarding the public speculation that he could be the Prime Minister nominee for the caretaker government from DUI, Xhaferi said that there has been no official notification to him about such a scenario. Nevertheless, if this decision is confirmed, he highlighted the importance of electing a new Speaker of the Parliament before its dissolution, and a new MP must also be nominated in the Parliament.

Xhaferi declined to comment on the number of potential candidates for the position of Prime Minister in the caretaker government and whether there are any female candidates.

Regarding the incident that occurred during the session when the new Rules of Procedure of the Parliament were to be voted upon, where MP Borislav Krmov from the Levica party broke part of the inventory in the plenary hall, Xhaferi stated that the damage has been estimated at over €9,000. He also mentioned that the MP will have to cover the costs of the damage.

Photo: MIA, MIA archive