The opposition BESA party, which represents mainly ethnic Albanians, ruled out any coalition with the ruling Albanian party DUI.

We would cooperate with DUI only if they are in the opposition. DUI failed to represent the Albanians over the past 17 years and the Albanians want it to go into the opposition, said BESA leader Bilal Kasami.

Kasami said that his party is prepared to join forces with the slightly larger Alliance of Albanians led by Ziadin Sela.

We want a pre-election coalition to ensure that the vote of the opposition enables we finally achieve a change in “North” Macedonia. We would like to cooperate with the Alliance as we are closer to them in our programs, as two opposition parties, Kasami told TV21.