More than 87 per cent of Macedonians want their country to become a member of the European Union, a survey presented on Thursday showed.

Macedonia's parliament approved Saturday a new government presented by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who has promised to speed up reforms needed for the Balkan country to join the European Union.

The European Union urged Macedonia's new government Tuesday to widen reforms and reach out to the opposition after violence-marred general elections.

The suspect, Vlado Taneski, was found in the cell with his head in a bucket of water. The police said the death seemed to be a suicide.

The violence and allegations of fraud marred parliamentary elections, which had been seen as a test of Macedonia’s democratic credentials as it seeks to join the European Union.

Political divisions, Russian tensions and a combat mission in Afghanistan have exposed disparities among members.