On Wednesday the political crisis moved back to the National Assembly, with the focus falling on two main issues: a proposed vote of no-confidence against the government of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov brought by GERB, and a heated debate about Mr Petkov's N. Macedonia policy. In addition, all of WCC's opponents called for the resignation of the Head of the National Assembly, Nikola Minchev, a vote on which will take place on Thursday.
GERB files motion of no-confidence against gov't, MRF, TISP and Vazrazhdane pledge to back it
The parliamentary group of GERB submitted on Wednesday in Parliament a request for a vote of no-confidence against the cabinet of Prime Minister Petkov, citing the "failure of the government in its fiscal and economic policy" as their main reason. "The destruction of the 25-year consensus to pursue a prudent and disciplined fiscal policy has turned the current government into a threat to the country's financial stability and national security," the draft motion of no-confidence reads. The motion received immediate pledges to be backed by MRF and Vazrazhdane, as well as from the remnants of the TISP parliamentary group (20 MPs), which means it would almost certainly pass when it is voted on next week.
TISP attacks the Prime Minister over allegedly "alternative" N. Macedonia foreign policy
Outgoing Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska (TISP) accused Prime Minister Kiril Petkov of trying to single-handedly change Bulgaria's framework position on N. Macedonia's EU accession, effectively flouting the will of the National Assembly and all leading political parties. Ms Genchovska, who spoke to Parliament on Wednesday, also said that Mr Petkov and his foreign policy advisor Vessela Tcherneva had pledged to lift the veto, which TISP leaders Toshko Yordanov and Slavi Trifonov called "treachery." In response, the office of the Prime Minister announced that it will file a decree that gives the last word on any decision on lifting the N. Macedonia EU accession to the National Assembly.
Inflation for May reaches 15.6%, higher than during the 2008 economic crisis
Consumer prices continue to rise, with annual inflation reaching 15.6 percent in May, National Statistics Institute (NSI) data published on Wednesday shows. Its value already exceeds the levels of 2008, when the economy was overheating, collapsing shortly after due to the global financial crisis. The average annual inflation in the country (for the period June 2021 - May 2022) reached 8.1 percent and economists expect price hikes to continue and average annual inflation to exceed 10 percent by the end of the year. In addition, NSI data shows that price increases are already diffusing across all sectors of the economy.
On Wednesday the political crisis moved back to the National Assembly, with the focus falling on two main issues: a proposed vote of no-confidence against the government of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov brought by GERB, and a heated debate about Mr Petkov's N. Macedonia policy. In addition, all of WCC's opponents called for the resignation of the Head of the National Assembly, Nikola Minchev, a vote on which will take place on Thursday.
