Only an expert Government with the broad support from all main political parties in Macedonia can deal with the coronavirus epidemic and respond to the pressure from Bulgaria, said VMRO-DPMNE Vice President Aleksandar Nikoloski, in an interview with the Mkd.mk news site.

We need strong diplomacy, serious reforms and an honest approach with clearly defined red lines on our national issues. Bulgaria will be under much greater pressure to back off if we have a country that is functioning properly with respect for the rule of law. But we don’t have that under Zaev and Bulgaria is relaxed and can do what it wants. A broad Government of experts, representing the national interest, would have a mandate to deal with the epidemic, the economic crisis and to look for ways to open EU accession talks while defending the Macedonian history, language and national identity. This is probably the greatest crisis Macedonia has faced since its independence and the situation requires such a Government, Nikoloski said.

Macedonia currently has a ruling majority made up of the SDSM, DUI and BESA parties, as well as a host of smaller coalition partners, who can barely muster enough votes to open a session of Parliament. Nikoloski said that despite this, SDSM never turns to the largest opposition party, VMRO-DPMNE, for consultations, advice or to look for some common ground.