Skopje, 4 June 2001 (RFE/RL) -- Macedonian Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski says early elections may be the best way to end a political impasse in the government and the ongoing insurgency by ethnic Albanian fighters. He made the remark late last night in a television interview.
He said the national unity government is "barely functioning" because of disagreements between Macedonian Slav parties and ethnic Albanian parties over whether to use military or political means in dealing with the ethnic Albanian fighters.
He said early elections could take place as soon as September to end the impasse in talks with ethnic Albanian political representatives.
Meanwhile, President Boris Trajkovski met last night in Skopje with representatives of the four main coalition partners in a bid to boost dialogue.
He said the politicians had agreed to begin a process aimed at giving more power to local governments and involving more ethnic Albanians in state institutions.
He said proposals for models of local self-government will be considered at the next meeting. He did not say when that would be.
He said the national unity government is "barely functioning" because of disagreements between Macedonian Slav parties and ethnic Albanian parties over whether to use military or political means in dealing with the ethnic Albanian fighters.
He said early elections could take place as soon as September to end the impasse in talks with ethnic Albanian political representatives.
Meanwhile, President Boris Trajkovski met last night in Skopje with representatives of the four main coalition partners in a bid to boost dialogue.
He said the politicians had agreed to begin a process aimed at giving more power to local governments and involving more ethnic Albanians in state institutions.
He said proposals for models of local self-government will be considered at the next meeting. He did not say when that would be.