Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi will call by late July or early August the local elections that are due in the second half of October. According to him, this would depend on information regarding the mandates of the mayors.

At an informal meeting with media on Thursday, Xhaferi said he won’t allow for any aspects that could bring into question the entire election process.

He noted that if the elections were to be held on October 17, the election campaign could coincide with the population census which ends September 30.

“When the time comes, I’ll send a letter to the State election Commission (SEC) regarding the deadlines and mandates,” said Xhaferi.

A budget revision committee debate starts on July 1. Plenary sessions won’t be held for ten days unless in case of urgent matters. A session on one of the no confidence motions submitted by the opposition should be held by July 1.

Xhaferi will travel to Brussels on June 28, where Western Balkans’ parliament speakers will meet for the European Parliament’s Second Western Balkans Speakers’ Summit, on the invitation of EP President David Sassoli. Xhaferi said messages will be carried to the EU following the latest decision not to give date for negotiations to North Macedonia and Albania.

Xhaferi shares the view that the problem is in the EU and the principle of decision-making with consensus. “Circumstances have changed since the 1950s, when the Union was founded, and it’s obvious that this principle is problematic. But, we must not give up on the European values,” tha Parliament Speaker said.

As regards talks with Bulgaria and whether the Parliament in Skopje will be involved in this process in any way, Xhaferi said the Parliament has ratified the Treaty with Bulgaria, and the Governments are the ones discussing about this issue.