Skopje, 28 December 2023 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi told the final press briefing in 2023 there is no specific procedure on the formation of the caretaker government, and said the presidential and parliamentary elections will be scheduled in mid-February.

"There is no specific procedure on the formation of the caretaker government. Formally speaking, the procedure is the same as for an election of a new government. My resignation will come first, followed by a session on election of a new Parliament Speaker and a session on election of the government. The slots for the presidential and parliamentary elections overlap and therefore both polls will be scheduled on February 14 or 15," said Speaker Xhaferi.

He added that the discussion on the election of the caretaker government would begin on January 27 and finish by the end of the following day. The government is elected by 61 'yes' votes.

"This government will be in office until the election of the new one," added Xhaferi.

He noted that the Parliament would be functional after the scheduling of the elections, since the MPs' terms are active until the verification of the new lawmakers.

The Speaker said it was not possible for the opposition parties of ethnic Albanians to take over the ministerial posts in the caretaker government in case VMRO-DPMNE decided against taking part.

Xhaferi is set to assume the post of caretaker PM in the interim government.

Photo: Parliament