Macedonia Press Review – July 20, 2012

DNEVNIK
Macedonian Orthodox Church, MPC has right to comment on social and political issues just like any other subject in the country, says Timotej from MPC on behalf of the church. The daily confronts opinions whether the MPC crossed the line and interfered in the secularity of the state by its recent statement in which it called its believers to “punish” and put in “oblivion” politicians who propose ideas that according to them are against the national interests, alluding to the former Macedonian PM Ljubco Goergievski, now part of the opposition bloc. While some say it is good that the MPC is watchful over national interests, observers for the daily see as problematic that the MPC has practically instructed its believers for whom to vote at the next elections.

UTRINSKI VESNIK
No matter whether it is a principled or unprincipled coalition, the cooperation deal between the opposition Social Democrats and the Democratic Party of Albanians paints a brand new picture in the Macedonian political scene, observers say for the daily. Noting that the coalition is largely pragmatic, made for toppling PM Nikola Gruevski, they emphasize the fact that for the first time since the country’s independence an Albanian and Macedonian parties have officially joined forces for pre-electoral cooperation. Most important, they say is that the two party leaders, Branko Crvenkovski and Menduh Thaci, have gathered strength to get past their former rivalry.

Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy.