During Macedonia’s long political crisis, which has now entered a new and equally if not more worrying phase, many commentators spoke of Zoran Zaev Social Democratic Union attempting to form a government in coalition with ‘Albanian parties’, but little was discussed about who these parties were and what aims they had for government.
After refusing to do so for months, Macedonia’s President Gjorge Ivanov has capitulated to foreign demands and pressure from the Socialist Party and has given Socialist leader Zoran Zaev a mandate to form a coalition government.
Ivanov has made Zaev pledge not to undermine Macedonia’s Constitution nor sovereignty. It also contained a pledge to reject the infamous Tirana Platform. It is a face saving gesture that few believe will be adhered to by Zaev’s coalition.
A new political force is being formed in Macedonia to counter the ambitions of Zoran Zaev. Zaev is the Macedonian socialist leader who has formed an alliance with radical Albanian parties, including separatists and has attempted to form a government against the stated wishes of Macedonia’s President Gjorge Ivanov.
The People’s Movement is set to be a widespread patriotic coalition which will oppose Zaev and his Albanian nationalist and ultra-nationalist cohorts.
