Macedonian premier quits in ethnic row

Macedonian Prime Minister Hari Kostov quit today over disagreements with ethnic Albanian parties in the governing coalition, triggering a government crisis in the ethnically tense Balkan state.

Kostov, who became the prime minister in May, told said he submitted his resignation to the parliament speaker in the capital, Skopje.

“One of the coalition partners is promoting partisan interests, nepotism and corruption,” Kostov said, referring to the Albanian Union for Integration party, which led a rebellion against the government in 2001.

Kostov’s move is likely to add to political tensions in Macedonia one week after a referendum on the rights of minority ethnic Albanians.

Kostov’s resignation needs approval in Parliament. If accepted, President Branko Crvenkovski could name a new prime minister without calling early elections.

There was no immediate announcement on when the parliament session would be held.