2016 Annual Review of Labour Relations and Social Dialogue Macedonia MARE ANCEVA February 2017  The political crisis that dominated 2015 continued into this year, marking all spheres of life in the country. The new elections were postponed until 11 December 2016, thus allowing the consequences of the crisis to especially affect political, economic and social life.  The year was characteristic by the “wake ­up” of civil society, organizing through social networks and protesting for democracy, justice and rule of law.  On the other hand, there were counter-protests by supporters of the government, thus showing the deep polarization of the country’s society where(according to the latest EU Progress Report) the institutions like judicial bodies, regulatory agencies and media outlets are captured by the governing political parties. The inhibited, divisive political culture and a lack of capacity for compromise were stirred up by the governing political party, until after ten years in power the narrow party interests prevailed over the interests of the country and its citizens.  The elections were postponed twice during the year, the opposition parties repeated the boycott of parliamentary work and the president of the country issued an abolition act for 56 persons most likely to be prosecuted for crimes involving wiretapped conversations, which caused an explosion of civil dissatisfaction. Finally, the 2015 political“Przino Agree­men t” was reconfirmed and the elections became viable for 11 December.  Thus, another year in terms of making progress towards European integration was“lost” in domestic quarrels and disputes, resulting in slowed growth and alienation rather than ap­proximation to EU values and standards.