Alliance and SDSM react to Maksim Dimitrievski's statement on the judicial exam

Maksim Dimitrievski said his party ZNAM (For Our Macedonia) will not back down from the demand that the judicial qualification exam be held only in the Macedonian language, arguing the issue transcends short-term politics and touches the functioning of the judiciary and the constitutional order. He told reporters the prime minister already knows ZNAM's position and that he will ask for a leaders' meeting with coalition partners to define what he calls the "red lines."

Party reactions

The Alliance for the Albanians and the Social Democratic Union (SDSM) immediately responded to Dimitrievski's remarks, each accusing him of political calculation.

In a party statement the Alliance for the Albanians accused Dimitrievski of trying to boost his ratings with the issue. "Dimitrievski can leave the Government, because he knows there will be early parliamentary elections. The issue of the judicial exam is needed by him to use in the election campaign and to play the role of 'a great patriot'."

The Social Democratic Union also criticized Dimitrievski, saying the judicial exam is being pushed as a pretext for an artificial coalition clash meant to create the impression of tension, open the way to early elections and to avoid admitting that financial stability was put at risk because of Alta Bank.

In its statement SDSM added: "But before trying to give Mickoski an alibi for elections, Dimitrievski must answer why he had a meeting with Vulin — director of the BIA, minister of defence and police, one of the suspects for the marijuana plantation in Serbia, regarding Alta Bank."

Photo: press material from the event