After a successful filibuster in the Parliament last week, the SDSM led majority is now expected to renew its push to vote on a law that would give 33 million EUR to its politically affiliated Makpetrol oil company. Makpetrol wants the money in order to give up on its share of the GAMA gas pipeline, that provides Russian gas to Macedonia through Bulgaria.

VMRO-DPMNE accused SDSM of over-estimating both Makpetrol’s share in GAMA and the value of the pipeline, and of pushing an openly corrupt deal with a special law in the Parliament – which in itself is evidence that the ruling party knows the deal is crooked and no official is prepared to sign it.

SDSM though they will beat us on endurance, but they were wrong. After 20 hours of non-stop debates, we beat the criminal Zaev Government, said VMRO member of Parliament Igor Janusev.

VMRO leader Hristijan Mickoski accused SDSM of trying to extend his influence over Telma TV, which is owned by Makpetrol, and that this is part of the deal. Telma is normally supportive of SDSM, but has recently pulled all stops, and even cancelled an already scheduled interview of Mickoski, as part of its new editorial policy to ignore all opposition activities.