Ethnic Albanian Party for Democratic Prosperity joined ruling coalition 20 May. Main ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration ended parliament boycott 29 May.

Party for Democratic Prosperity to become second ethnic Albanian party in governing coalition. Former Interior Minister Boskovski and senior police officer Johan Tarculovski on trial for war crimes in Hague 16 April, charged with 2001 murder of 7 ethnic Albanians in Ljuboten. Culture Minister Ilirijan Bekiri resigned after public outcry over attempt to censure theatre.

PM Gruevski met with Ali Ahmeti, leader of opposition DUI, largest Albanian party, 7 March: agreed to resume political dialogue and form task force to draw up list of laws affecting minorities to be adopted by “Badinter principle” majority in parliament.

Government expressed support for UN proposal on Kosovo status 3 February. Largest Albanian party, opposition DUI, publicly distanced itself from 10-11 February Pristina demonstrations. Opposition Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia withdrew threat to leave parliament after ruling majority abandoned proposal to limit debating time. EU expressed concern over political wrangling, reform slowdown since 2005.

Ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration and Party of Democratic Prosperity continued boycott of parliament, accusing ruling coalition of violating 2001 Ohrid Agreement provisions on minority representation. Meanwhile, coalition member Democratic Party of Albanians won municipal elections in predominantly Albanian Saraj. UN Mediator Matthew Nimitz conveyed Greek claims that decision to rename Skopje’s airport after Alexander the Great violated bilateral interim agreement.

4 main political parties met to discuss reform process 13 December. Parliament rejected Democratic Union for Integration motion to sack Education Minister Sulejman Rushiti on grounds his Tetovo university appointments were politicised. Around 100 former Albanian National Liberation Army members rallied in Tetovo, demanding authorities address their pension and aid status.

Parliament passed police reform bill despite opposition Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) and Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP) boycott. DUI-PDP coalition warned their mayors, in control of 15 of 16 Albanian majority municipalities, would not cooperate with police. In positive step for judicial independence, 8 members elected to new Judicial Council by fellow judges; council will handle election and dismissal of judges, previously controlled by parliament. EU Commission said progress slowed in 2006, highlighting political hiring and firing of officials, and lack of cooperation between government and opposition as problems. Radmila Sekerinska elected leader of Social Democratic Alliance 5 November.

Public prosecutor Aleksandar Prcevski removed by ruling coalition majority in parliament for inefficiency and unprofessional behaviour 13 October; opposition parties boycotted vote saying Prcevski not able to defend himself. Opposition Social Democratic Party leader Vlado Buckovski resigned after party no-confidence vote.

Ethnic Albanian Democratic Union of Integration (DUI) deputies attended special parliamentary session on 15th anniversary of independence referendum, despite boycott of legislature in protest over exclusion from new government. PM Gruevski later held 2-day meeting with opposition leaders: DUI leader Ahmeti refused to attend, but his ally, Party of Democratic Prosperity (PDP) leader Vejseli, participated.

Parliament approved new government 27 August: coalition, led by VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski, includes Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA) and several smaller parties. Ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration continued to protest opposition status, arguing party gained more ethnic Albanian votes than DPA in July elections.