VMRO-DPMNE announced that it will be using filibustering in the Parliament to prevent a vote that would land 33 million EUR in profits to the Makpetrol oil company. The Zaev regime has been pushing for the deal, as a settlement to the lengthy dispute between Makpetrol and the state over the property of the gas pipeline linking Macedonia with Bulgaria. In exchange, VMRO has alleged, Zaev seeks to gain the support of Telma TV, which is owned by Makpetrol.

The Government is trying to pay 14.2 million EUR over the estimates made by Government experts. Instead of using the courts, the settlement is sent to the Parliament – something that has never happened before, the opposition party said.

VMRO members of Parliament are using lengthy speeches on the floor and have announced that their goal is to delay proceedings until deal is prevented. The session was supposed to end by 18h, but the ruling majority is trying to keep the Parliament convened and to initiate a vote on the so-called GA MA pipeline, preferably overnight, so that the public hears as little as possible.

The Government is trying to push this law, acknowledging Makpetrol a 50 percent share of the pipeline through the back door, without providing the necessary information and without consulting the public. Then, the inflated share will be paid off with an even more inflated estimate, VMRO-DPMNE representatives told the press.