After the eight-hour talks between political leaders and the European Commissioner for Enlargement, it is not entirely clear what has actually been agreed. In such a vacuum, both sides rushed to declare “victory”.
Media close to the political structures began to analyze the statement of EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, also adding new elements, allegedly, from “their close sources”.
The media that are critical of the government came out with new details that were allegedly received from “sources close to SDSM”, while pro-government media claim to have received their “exclusives” from “diplomatic sources”.
The euphoria is more present among pro-government media, who rushed to declare victory, and declining mood and strict separation among media that are critical of the government was noticeable.
Here’s what media that are critical of the government reported:
- There will be early elections by April 2016
- The election will be organized by transitional government
According to them, the composition of the new government will negotiate the resumption of negotiations between party leaders, mediated by the EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, scheduled for 10th of June in Brussels.
Here’s what media that support government policy reported:
- There will be early elections by April 2016
- There is no agreement for a transitional government
- The opposition will return to the Assembly
The media, however, reported that the leadership meeting with Commissioner Johannes Hahn between the government and the opposition resulted in a signed agreement for parliamentary elections in April, and the time frame in which modalities that will contribute to restoring confidence on the part of political parties in the electoral process should be agreed. This agreement will be signed in Brussels on 10th of June. They speculated that after that date, the opposition will return to parliamentary benches and put an end to illegal publication of recorded and created additional phone calls.
European Commission also sent an announcement late last night, which stated
“A number of concrete measures have been discussed and agreed to face the challenges which are upon the country. A number of items need to be further elaborated and agreed in the coming days and, in that respect, the commissioner requested talks with the leaders to resume immediately.”
After completion of negotiations in Skopje, EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn stated:
As you can see, I’m surrounded by leaders of political parties, we had a good discussion and it is good that this time we confirmed commitment to the European future of the country. It is crucial to resolve internal problems and to reach a political compromise and balance, and therefore we had timeframe. We agreed on a transitional period, and early elections to be conducted by the end of April next year, but it is important for the state to previously prepare for it. The voter list to be purged and all the recommendations of the European Union to be accepted. Details will be agreed at the meeting in Brussels next week.
