Macedonia’s incumbent government faces vote of no-confidence from parliament
Today, Macedonia’s government will likely hold a no confidence vote against Prime Minister Zoran Zaev’s ruling social democrat coalition.
Last spring, Zaev seized power following a two-year political crisis marked by scandal and violent protest which uprooted the previous administration. Additionally, the country’s long-standing name dispute with Greece has prevented it from joining the EU or NATO. This, in combination with the recent governmental chaos, has hampered economic performance leading to falling investor confidence and GDP growth.
Filing the motion last Saturday, the main opposition party VMRO-DPMNE has accused the government of incompetence, citing this economic stagnation along with a rise in corruption and crime. However, the ruling coalition’s success in local elections last fall suggests the Macedonian people think otherwise.
Read this vote of no confidence as largely for show, unable to get a majority but putting the country’s problems into the spotlight for the public. Additionally, expect further political change ahead with Zaev hoping to capitalise on his party’s recent success and secure his coalition’s currently tenuous hold over the government.
