Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski believes it is obvious that the decision of State Election Commission (SEC) chairman Aleksandar Novakoski to resign was made under pressure coming directly from SDSM leader Branko Crvenkovski, adding this should not change the situation much, since elections will be held.

"It is obvious that the resignation decision was made under pressure, directly coming from Branko Crvenkovski. However, this will not alter the situation very much. He maybe got 15-20 more days.

I would not exclude the possibility of the other SDSM member in SEC to succumb to pressures in the coming days", PM Gruevski told reporters after Sunday's presentation of scholarships to IT students.

He stressed the authorities would remain on their intention to schedule early elections.

"These elections will clear up all the dilemmas that have been created, i.e. putting an end to the damage made by Branko Crvenkovski, who holds the country and his own party hostage", underlined PM Gruevski.