March 2 (SeeNews) - The leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) Zoran Zaev has accused president Gjorge Ivanov of violating the constitution and carrying out a 'coup', after Ivanov denied him the right to form a government.
On Wednesday, Macedonia's president said he decided to not give to SDSM's leader a mandate to form a coalition government over concerns that the move would jeopardize the country's sovereignty.
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 the 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, the conservative VMRO-DPMNE, failed to agree with the ethnic Albanian party DUI on forging a coalition.
According to Macedonian media reports, in the last few days several thousands Macedonian citizens had taken to the streets protesting against the broader use of Albanian language in official institutions. Zaev claimed the protests were initiated by VMRO-DPMNE.
Following the president's decision, Zoran Zaev declared late on Wednesday that Ivanov has pushed the country into a deep political crisis with unpredictable consequences. Zaev called upon the president to revoke his decision and to task him forming the new government.
Asked whether he would file complaint to Macedonia's constitutional court, Zaev said that he would consider every legal opportunity at his disposal to prevent this coup d'etat and breach of the country's constitution.
The SDSM leader also urged citizens, regardless of their nationality, religion or political views, to remain calm and not to succumb to provocations.