Quiet start to the plenary session: 54 items, 45 by shortened procedure

The first plenary session after the summer recess began in a relatively quiet mood, although there had previously been announcements of blockades by the Albanian opposition bloc.

The opposition SDSM repeatedly raised procedural objections. Coordinator Oliver Spasovski reacted that committee sessions were being scheduled before the plenary agenda was established and pointed out that of the 54 agenda items, 45 are by shortened procedure.

Assembly speaker Gashi accepted the objection in the part concerning the work of committee bodies.

Political context and positions

SDSM previously accused that there exists an internal agreement between DUI and VMRO-DPMNE for a scenario with blockades aimed at early parliamentary elections through which "the integrativists would enter Ilindenska". VMRO-DPMNE, through its leader Mickoski, today refused to comment on these rumours and stated that "it is not necessary to comment on everything and anything that comes out of the party kitchens but also those of the parliamentary groups in the Assembly."

From Levica they say they would not be surprised if there are agreements for early elections — not only between DUI and VMRO-DPMNE but also with the opposition SDSM — but they add that they see nothing controversial in the procedural objections themselves.

Today's agenda contained 54 items, of which 45 are by shortened procedure. None of the laws are those adopted under the Badinter procedure. Such laws include three in education, one on local self-government, one on fair representation and several dozen concerning leadership functions — issues that, according to MPs, will wait for better times and political will.

Photo: press material from the event