North Macedonia Backs Interim Government With EU Talks Stalled
- First ethnic Albanian premier appointed to prepare vote in May
- Nationalists hindering EU talks may win next election
North Macedonia’s parliament approved an interim government ahead of a May election that may further complicate the Balkan nation’s already difficult European Union accession process.
A majority of lawmakers on Sunday backed the appointment of Talat Xhaferi as prime minister, making him the first representative of the country’s Albanian minority — nearly a third of the population — to assume the role. Xhaferi, who stepped down as parliament speaker earlier this week, will now have about 100 days to prepare for the national vote.