Farizi: Much room for speculation as to why Taravari resigned and joined DUI, controversial garage tender under scrutiny

Political analyst Lulzim Farizi says that the inconsistent statements by Arben Taravari, now former Minister of Health in the Government of North Macedonia, leave room for speculation about why he left the ruling Albanian coalition – VLEN – and joined the opposition party DUI. However, the prevailing opinion is that his decision was linked to the controversial tender for a garage at the Clinical Center in Skopje.

"Based on what has been happening in recent days, Taravari's inconsistent statements and the grounds on which he left the government reveal a lot – or at least leave ample room for speculation about what truly prompted him to resign and join DUI in the opposition, and to run together with the European Front in the upcoming local elections," Farizi told Kosovo Online.

He connects the resignation to the failed tender for the multi-level garage at the Clinical Center in Skopje, estimated to be worth several million euros.

"Not just I, but the general public believes this was the main reason he first withdrew from the VLEN coalition and then made a decision that surprised all members of the Alliance for Albanians – to go into opposition at a time when he was heading the largest ministry with the biggest budget, through which he could have fulfilled the promises he made to the citizens last year. Most likely, the changes he wants to make are a continuation of past events and issues he couldn’t handle given the changing circumstances in the country and the attempts to create a just and normal state," Farizi said.

He emphasized that Taravari’s resignation, which followed the failed garage tender, was delayed due to the tragic events in Kocani, but that there are also other, less publicized reasons behind it.

"Another factor was the abuse of official position by former directors of the Macedonian Power Plants (ESM), as well as the arrest of the son of one of the European Front MPs, which further pressured Taravari to distance himself from VLEN and subsequently from the government," Farizi claimed.

Despite the crisis facing the Albanian ruling bloc gathered around VLEN, Farizi does not believe this will trigger an institutional crisis in North Macedonia.

"According to the Constitution, the government must have a majority of 61 MPs. At the moment, the government – or rather, the parliament – has more than 73 MPs. Additionally, we need to wait and see how things unfold within the Alliance. One MP has already resigned, and there are indications that two or three more from Arben Taravari’s political party or faction may remain part of the government, not to mention other close associates who will most likely stay on and retain their current positions. We will also see new figures taking over some ministries following Taravari's resignation," Farizi explained.