SKOPJE, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the ruling and opposition parties in North Macedonia failed to reach an agreement on a new date for early parliamentary elections at a meeting called by President Stevo Pendarovski, local media reported on Tuesday.

During the meeting, according to a statement of the President's Office, political leaders concluded that the citizens' health is a priority and a date will be announced after consultations with the Committee for Infectious Diseases, the State Election Commission and the OCSE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Office.

"In terms of next steps, leaders agreed to seek the opinion of the Committee for Infectious Diseases in terms of measures and protocols to be followed during the electoral process in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic," read the statement.

The President's Office announced that party leaders will meet again next week to discuss further steps.

The meeting was attended by the ruling Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) party leader Zoran Zaev, VMRO-DPMNE's leader Hristijan Mickoski, Ali Ahmeti from the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), Prime Minister Oliver Spasovski, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferri and other political representatives.

The current governmental cabinet in North Macedonia was elected on Jan. 3, as a transitional government that should organize fair, democratic and credible elections.

On Feb. 16, North Macedonia's lawmakers voted to dissolve the 120-seat parliament, paying the way for early elections.

As of Tuesday, health authorities have reported a total of 1,674 coronavirus cases in North Macedonia, with 1,205 recoveries and 92 fatalities. Enditem

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