March 1 (SeeNews) - OSCE secretary general Lamberto Zannier on Thursday expressed his concern over the refusal of Macedonia's president to give a mandate to the leader of the Social Democratic party to form the country's new government.
The results of December early elections are a solid basis for forming a government serving the interests of all citizens, Zannier said in his Twitter account.
The rule of law must prevail, Zannier added.
Political tensions heightened in Macedonia after president Gjorge Ivanov announced on Wednesday that he would not give the mandate for the formation of government to Zoran Zaev, leadеr of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), despite the proof of parliamentary majority which Zaev had submitted to him. Ivanov explained his decision with his concerns that SDSM's agreement with the ethnic Albanian parties on the formation of government would jeopardize the country's sovereignty. The SDSM leader, in turn, accused Ivanov of violating the constitution and carrying out a 'coup'.
Lamberto Zannier added that he will visit Skopje next week, and will meet officials, political leaders and representatives of the civil society.
Earlier this week Zaev, whose party came in second in the December early election, secured parliamentary majority to form a government after reaching an agreement with ethnic Albanian parties on key issues regarding the governance of the country, including the use of the Albanian language in Macedonia. The deal came after the election winner, conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, failed to agree with the ethnic Albanian party DUI on forging a government coalition.