“We are not married”, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi said in response to the threat from the ruling SDSM party that it may cancel its coalition with the DUI party. SDSM said it will kick DUI out of the coalition unless Xhaferi helps them adopt a law that would solidify SDSM’s control over the judiciary before the Parliament dissolves, but Xhaferi dared SDSM to say if they’re really serious about holding elections.

I have no time to spare. If they want to form a new ruling coalition, let them say it, instead of arguing with me. Six months ago we all agreed to hold new elections on April 12. If they don’t want to have elections, let them say so. We are not married. But if this brings us back to the political crisis period of 2015, it will be on them, Xhaferi said.