SKOPJE: Leftist deputies from the Macedonian opposition party SDSM have barricaded themselves in parliament to prevent adoption of a 2013 budget that they say will lead to excessive public debt.
The movement erupted late on Sunday after the legislature approved a revised draft budget owing to a solid majority held by the ruling coalition VRMO-DPMNE led by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.
SDSM deputies, who hold only 29 seats in the 123-member parliament, decided to physically prevent majority lawmakers from entering the building to keep meetings on the 2013 budget from moving forward.
Gruevski responded by telling the occupants: “Criticize me, I will explain my decisions, but I ask you not to take the citizens of Macedonia hostage” through the action.
SDSM leader Branko Crvenkovski told media in front of the parliament that his party was fighting for something much more important than the budget “because if those in power continue down this path they will suspend the constitution … and kill democracy in Macedonia before our eyes.”
On Monday, a large number of police forces was stationed in front of the building to separate militants from both sides who had begun to gather in support of their respective parties.
Macendonian deputies occupy parliament to block budget http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif
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