Skopje, 28 May 2024 (MIA) – The Parliament has elected Tuesday Afrim Gashi to the post Parliament Speaker with 76 votes in favor and six against. With his election and the taking of the solemn oath, the constitutive session of the Parliament concluded. Alternativa leader Afrim Gashi, whose party is a member of the Worth It coalition, was nominated for Speaker of Parliament on Tuesday by 75 MPs from VMRO-DPMNE, the Worth It coalition and the ZNAM Movement.

Previously, Izet Mexhiti from the Worth It coalition stated that Afrim Gashi is a candidate with extensive experience in the Parliament and fulfills all the requirements to be the new parliament speaker.

“He has served as an MP for eight years, which is equivalent to three terms. He is a politician who is not mentioned in corruption cases, and therefore, it is an honor for the Parliament to be led by such a politician,” Mexhiti noted.

Amar Mecinovikj from Levica, however, mentioned that it was Afrim Gashi who prevented the previous government from falling and is now being rewarded with a new role, additionally serving as prime minister in the final 100 days.

He underlined that VMRO-DPMNE with 58 MP, allows a party with only two MPs to lead the Parliament.

His fellow party member, Borislav Krmov, noted that with the amendments to the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, laws will be fast-tracked, albeit with restricted debate.

"It's disgraceful that only six Levica party MPs spoke up about the election of the Parliament Speaker. Gashi lacks any experience as a Commission President, and now he's set to lead the Parliament. By VMRO-DPMNE, with its 58 MPs, practically handing him this position, we're effectively diving into binationalism. His primary qualification seems to be his Albanian ethnicity,” Krmov said.

In response, Petar Risteski from VMRO-DPMNE stated that there is no patriotism within the Levica party, and as participants in the 'colorful revolution,' they are directly responsible for the change in the Constitution and the country's constitutional name.

Jovana Mojsoska from the Levica pointed out that with 61 MPs, VMRO-DPMNE is granting the second most important function in the state to the Worth It coalition, representing the Prishtina platform.

Levica leader Dimitar Apasiev stated that today's session of the Parliament is an introduction to the Kosovoization of the Macedonian parliament and the Bulgarization of the country.

In response, Hristijan Mickoski from VMRO-DPMNE expressed regret that citizens had to witness behavior in which, as he stated, a few individuals attempted to create a real show.

“I extend my apologies to those who voted for these few MPs, and I assume they expect me to engage in their aggressive style as well. Macedonia is anticipating years of reforms, development, rule of law, an uncompromising battle against crime and corruption, and sadly, from time to time, you will encounter such exhibitionists who, lacking any other idea, resort to insults, disparagement, and degradation," Mickoski noted.

Highlight that the Levica missed the chance for constructive engagement when they turned down the invitation for national reconciliation before the parliamentary elections and chose to boycott the election of Gordana Siljanovska Davkova as president in the second round of the presidential elections.

Photo: MIA