With clear announcements coming from Bulgaria that Macedonia won’t be able to open its EU accession talks during the European Council in mid December, the Zaev regime seems to be trying to entrench itself.

Zaev announced his resignation after losing the local elections to VMRO-DPMNE, but has since changed his mind and said that he will remain to solidify the coalition and his allies say he is trying to reach a deal with Bulgaria. President Radev in Bulgaria could allow this to happen, while we wait for a Government to form there, but comments coming from him and from other officials indicate that the time is short and there is no interest.

In response, Zaev is trying to bulk up his coalition and regain the majority in Parliament he lost when the BESA party defected. He is meeting with the Alternative party, that would give him four seats, and with Kastriot Rexhepi, the BESA member of Parliament whose disappearance undermined last week’s vote of no confidence in Zaev. Rexhepi himself said that he did this because international representatives assured him that there is a chance for opening EU accession talks in December. This all indicates that Zaev has now completely reversed course, and is not trying to find a way out and appoint a successor, but will try to cling on as Prime Minister.