One of the most commented developments from the crisis situation yesterday, when an opposition member of Parliament was apparently kidnapped or otherwise prevented from casting a vote of no confidence in the Zaev Government was his face when he finally entered the Parliament late in the evening.

Zaev came joined by two trusty members of the Government – Venko Filipce and Ljupco Nikolovski, and all else around him were DUI party officials, including a beaming Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi. DUI dismissed Zaev’s announced resignation after he lost the local elections – when Zaev seemed almost relieved to be out of his office. And yesterday, while the DUI officials were all smiles, Zaev just sat there, visibly uncomfortable and stone-faced, even behind the mask, listening through a head-set as the Speaker Talat Xhaferi, also from DUI, concluded that the Government remains in place in Albanian. Even Zaev friendly outlets noticed how the Prime Minister “looked sad” and out of place. Zaev did not address the public after the drama – this duty fell to Grubi, who declared victory for the Zaev – Ahmeti coalition.

After a long day in which the opposition parties demanded to know what happened with the missing member of Parliament Kastriot Rexhepi, and insisted that he has been kidnapped by Zaev, it suddenly looked like it is Zaev who is held hostage.