Parliament speaker 10 Jan announced 22 March date for presidential, local elections. Ruling VMRO DPMNE, ahead in polls, picked newcomer Ivanov as candidate 25 Jan; main opposition Social Democrats 26 Jan selected former FM Frckovski. Outgoing president Crvenkovski announced intention to lead Social Democrats following election. Parliament 9 Jan approved constitutional amendment lowering minimum voter turnout from 50 to 40%. UN mediator in name dispute with Greece 12 Jan said name talks to resume 11 Feb; expectations low as both sides trade provocations. 1st hearing started 19 Jan in ICJ Macedonia vs Greece case over alleged Greek violation of 1995 Interim Accord; court gave Macedonia until 20 July to file written memorandum.

New Macedonian representative in name talks with Greece, Jolevski, met with UN mediator Nimetz 5 Dec. Greece and Macedonia continued to trade accusations over responsibility for unresolved name row; but EU FMs 8 Dec declared Macedonia should agree to mutually acceptable name. Macedonian, Greek representatives scheduled to meet at ICJ 19 Jan for proceedings brought by Macedonia 17 Nov on violation of 1995 Interim Agreement.

Greek and Macedonian responses to latest UN proposal for ongoing name dispute reportedly negative, with Macedonia opposed to name and lack of guarantees for Macedonian language and identity. Macedonia 17 Nov filed motion at International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Greece for breaking 1995 Interim Accord, by blocking Macedonia’s NATO membership under its provisional name in April 2008. Greece said move evidence that Macedonia not committed to UN talks. In ongoing internal divisions, govt criticised President Crvenkovski’s 3 Nov firing of chief name negotiator; Crvenkovski said not consulted about ICJ move. European Commission progress report 5 Nov did not recommend starting accession talks for Macedonia, as hoped, due to political shortcomings.

UN mediator Matthew Nimetz suggested new name options at 7-8 Oct joint meeting with Greek and Macedonian representatives in New York, including “Republic of Northern Macedonia”, after Greece again rejected dual- name solution; proposals later rejected by both countries. Political parties agreed on March 2009 schedule for presidential and local elections, electoral and constitutional reforms, including voter turnout threshold cut from 50 to 40%; unanimously adopted by parliament 22 Oct. 9 jailed, including former commander of rebel ethnic Albanian fighters, for role in June election violence.

UN envoy Nimetz 12 Sept offered Macedonia and Greece further ideas to resolve name row at New York meetings; FMs briefly discussed 18 Sept. Main opposition Social Democratic Alliance party 18 Sept elected Zoran Zaev as interim leader until outgoing President Branko Crvenkovski takes over May 2009. Ethnic Albanian DPA continued parliamentary boycott; 5 Sept split as respected VP Ymer Selmani quit and 16 Sept launched new centre right Albanian party New Democracy. EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn 4 Sept said more reforms, especially on elections, needed before accession talks start. PM Gruevski proposed constitutional change regarding election of president, scrapping current threshold of 51% turnout.

Continued deadlock over UN-sponsored name talks with Greece. Sides discussed proposals in New York 13-14 Aug with UN envoy Nimetz. Macedonia continued lobbying foreign counterparts, attempted to expand talks to other issues, including recognition of Macedonian Orthodox Church; UN said focus to remain on name issue. Macedonia 14 Aug accused Greece of increasing pressure by conducting military exercises near border. Parliament 28 Aug adopted resolution supporting property claims of 1946-49 refugees from Greece. Nimetz visited Skopje and Athens 21-22 Aug, but both sides rejected options put forward. U.S. 13 Aug reiterated name dispute should not impede NATO admission. Political divisions in govt continued. PM Gruevski criticised President Crvenkovski’s early Aug pardon of Social Democrat VP Zoran Zaev and blocking of five bills passed during July parliamentary boycott. Crvenkovski announced intent to stand against PM Gruevski in 2009 parliamentary elections, criticised Gruevski’s handling of name issue.

Parliament 26 July approved PM Gruevski’s VMRO-DPMNE coalition govt with largest ethnic Albanian party DUI. 9 wounded in 4 July shoot-out between DUI, opposition Albanian DPA supporters in Radusa village. DPA 11 July announced parliament boycott; opposition Social Democrats 17 July joined walkout after arrest of party VP Zoran Zaev, charged with abuse of authority as Strumica mayor. President Crvenkovski 31 July called for end of boycott, said would pardon Zaev. Name row escalated after fresh talks opened 11 July at UN: PM Gruevski in 14 July letter to Greek PM Karamanlis demanded recognition of Macedonian minority in Greece, property return; Athens rejected as “provocative”. ICTY 10 July cleared former Macedonian interior minister of command responsibility for 2001 murder of 7 ethnic Albanians, co-defendant found guilty.

PM Gruevski’s VMRO-DPMNE coalition won 63 of 120 parliamentary seats in 1 June parliamentary elections marked by irregularities, violence between rival Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) and Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA). Social Democratic Party won 27, DUI 18 and DPA 11. Parliament convened 21 June, DPA boycotted; Trajko Veljanovski elected speaker. President Crvenkovski 23 June gave PM Gruevski 20-day deadline to form new government. State Election Commission 6 June annulled results of 68 polling stations. Partial reruns held 15, 29 June; international monitors noted “significant improvement”; initial outcome confirmed. Name dispute continues: UN Mediator Nimetz proposed several compromises in 27-28 June Athens, Skopje visits.

Parliamentary elections 1 June marred by continued clashes between rival Albanian parties: 1 killed in shooting in Aracinovo in Albanian north; voting reported halted in some 20 polling stations in area. Lead-up saw series of violent incidents: 8 regional offices of opposition Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) party attacked 11-13 May; alleged assassination attempt on DUI leader Ali Ahmeti in Rakovec village 12 May; ruling Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA) denied involvement. 10,000 took to streets in anti-violence protest 13 May. Member of DPA fatally stabbed 10 May; 5 DUI activists beaten in Kondovo village 9 May. Violence lull following international community threats 14 May to halt all integration activities, but DUI Gostivar regional office stoned 22 May; DUI rally 29 May attacked by DPA supporters. DUI claimed police armed DPA, unfairly detained officials; interior minister denied. Election monitoring organization (MOST) 22 May denounced campaign period as “full of irregularities”; OSCE monitors further reported media bias.

Parliament dissolved 12 Apr; early elections called for 1 June. UN envoy Nimetz continued negotiations on name issue after Greece blocked NATO accession 3 Apr. Greek FM Bakoyannis 20 Apr offered financial aid, reduced visa requirements in return for name change; Skopje rejected.