A spokesperson for the Foreign Ofiice of Great Britain welcomed the election of a new Speaker of Parliament and calls for an unhindered and non-violent transfer to the elected majority coalition.
“The UK supports the democratic decision of the majority of Macedonian MPs to elect Talat Xhaferi as Speaker. We look forward to working with him. We call on all individuals, institutions and parties to allow an unhindered and non-violent transfer of power from the previous ruling party to the majority coalition elected in December 2016. The sooner a government is formed, the sooner it can get on with implementing urgent reforms to benefit Macedonia’s citizens. At a time of heightened tension, all leaders should refrain from inflaming ethnic tensions. Any such behaviour is dangerous and contrary to the interests of Macedonia’s national unity”, reads the statement.
They went on to call for the State authorities, in particular, the police, to be allowed to fulfil their roles without political intereference.
