Zoran Zaev, former North Macedonia's Prime Minister who resigned in January, said on Monday that he would demand the postponement of the general elections scheduled for April 12 because of necessity to follow strict rules in protecting people from the coronavirus infection, the FoNet news agency reported.

Zaev, the leader of the Social-Democratic Party (SDSM) said his party decided to demand the delay in elections on Sunday night and that he would present it during Monday’s session of the Nacional Security Council.

He added he expected President Stevo Pendarovski to call a meeting of political parties to agree on a new date which should be only after the people were safe.

Zaev’s resignation was a part of preparations for early elections on April 12 which are being called after the European Union failed to set a date to open accession negotiations with Skopje.

The transitional Government is formed 100 days ahead of elections, and the opposition has interior and labour ministers and deputy ministries of finance, agriculture and administration.        

General elections are also due in Serbia on April 26, and President Aleksandar Vucic did not exclude the possibility of their postponement.