Macedonian Parliament Constituted, Afrim Gashi Elected Speaker

(Patria) - Twenty days after the elections, in which the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE won power after seven years, the Parliament of North Macedonia (Sobranje) was constituted yesterday.

After the elections in North Macedonia, held on May 8, the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) went into opposition, reports RSE.

VMRO-DPMNE took power and has been negotiating with the Albanian bloc of parties Vredi (Vlen) since the elections on forming a new Macedonian government.

The new convocation of the Sobranje elected Afrim Gashi from Alternative as the new Speaker of Parliament with 76 votes in favor, six against, and no abstentions.

This was the last item on the constitutive session, during which mandates were awarded to the new MPs.

Gashi stated that, regardless of coming from a party that is part of the new parliamentary majority, as Speaker he will advocate for everyone to have equal rights in Parliament.

- Although I am here politically, religiously, and ethnically, and together with Vredi (Vlen), ZNAM, and VMRO-DPMNE I will be part of the government majority, as Speaker of the Sobranje I will do my best so that no MP feels unrepresented or, God forbid, discriminated against.

As Speaker of the Sobranje, I will ensure that our society progresses even further in terms of freedom of expression - said Gashi.

During the debate, left-wing MPs criticized the proposal for Gashi to be elected Speaker of Parliament, while VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski criticized the left-wing MPs for behaving as if they were in some reality show.

After the mandates of the new MPs were verified, interim Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi stated that he will perform the duties of Prime Minister until the election of the new government, and that he will not participate in the work of the parliament.

In the second session, the Deputy Speakers of Parliament will be elected, and the number of Deputy Speakers is determined by the Parliament at the proposal of the Speaker.

Deputy Speakers are elected from among MPs belonging to different political parties represented in the Sobranje.

One of the Deputy Speakers is elected from the MPs belonging to the largest opposition party. At least one of the Deputy Speakers is elected from the less represented gender.