In a parliamentary democracy, the candidate which represents the majority of citizens must be allowed to form a government without obstruction. That candidate is Zoran Zaev, from our associate party SDSM, who is in a position to receive support of an absolute majority of MPs.
PES president Sergei Stanishev said:
“President Ivanov must be loyal to his country and to the constitution he vowed to defend. He cannot take the will of the people hostage just to benefit his own party.
“Blocking the functioning of Macedonia’s democratic institutions is not only wrong but it is also dangerous. It could fuel the inter-ethnic divide and lead to an open conflict. I call on President Ivanov to live up that responsibility and allow Zoran Zaev to form a government with wide support.”
Stanishev condemned the harassment tactics instigated by the incumbent government and led by the VMRO-DPMNE party:
“Leaflets are being distributed in schools and students are being manipulated by their teachers into joining the protests. This is simply deplorable.
“Acts of intimidation are being conducted against members of parliament from SDSM or from other parties supportive of a government change. This behaviour is completely unacceptable and incompatible with a functioning democracy.
“Zoran Zaev and our associate party SDSM have the strength, the vision and the negotiating ability to form a government for all Macedonians and lead Macedonia forward in the path of Euro-atlantic integration, which is so important for the country and for which people are calling.”
