Skopje, 10 January 2025 (MIA) — First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Izet Mexhiti survived Friday the vote of no-confidence that had been moved against him by the European Front coalition.

Blerim Bexheti elaborated on the motion of no confidence, saying the European Front demanded Mexhiti to take political responsibility and resign over his "inability to manage situations that have contributed to worsening ethnic relations." 

Bexheti cited as examples the Nov. 28 flag burning incidents, the 'Balancer' ethnic diversity program, the government's decisions "to erase the diaspora", and the Law on Languages.

In response to Bexheti, Mexhiti said the no-confidence motion was not about him or the Albanian language, the Balancer, or equitable ethnic representation, but about DUI's desire to return to power.

The First Deputy PM urged the party to reform and stop the "aggressiveness, arrogance and the fueling of interethnic tensions it has been practicing over the past six months it has been in opposition."

During the debate, VMRO-DPMNE MP Ljupcho Prendzhov urged DUI not to "sell" fake patriotism but to be a constructive opposition party.

Worth It coalition's Halil Snopçe said the confidence motions moved by DUI were their attempt to avoid taking responsibility for the 20 years they were in power.

Vesna Bendevska from the ZNAM Movement said the motion was unfounded. She called for a "deDUIzation" of Macedonian society, noting that it did not mean Albanophobia or anti-Albanian sentiment, but rather the liberation of all citizens, especially those of Albanian ethnic origin, from the clutches of DUI's crime and corruption.

Mexhiti's no-confidence motion received three votes in favor and 64 votes against.

Lawmakers started the session with a motion of no confidence against the chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Policy, Demography and Youth, Ilire Dauti, moved by Levica. She lost the no-confidence vote after 61 MPs voted for her ouster. mr/