The Macedonian Parliament adopted the referendum proposal on the name in the absence of VMRO-DPMNE (OBZOR)

. Photo: FOCUS Information Agency

Skopje. With 67 votes in favor and no "against", the Macedonian parliament approved the proposal to hold the referendum on the names of the citizens of our neighbor to the southwest who will vote on the treaty with Greece signed on June 16 after a controversy more than two decades.
The plenary session took place at the end of the afternoon, but it became clear in the morning that the Republic of Macedonia had already prepared the relevant decision: the referendum would be held on September 30, it would be advisory and the question would remain the same Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said: "Do you agree to join the EU and NATO by accepting the treaty between the Republic of Macedonia and the Hellenic Republic ? "There was no surprise in the parliamentary vote.
The SDSM has managed to gather the necessary signatures, including those of the Albanian parties, although it is awaiting the support of 72 deputies of the 120-member legislature in Skopje. Or, at least, they had registered for the initiative before being presented to parliament. Among them were representatives of the ruling coalition and the opposition.

Zaev did not give up the calls for opposition

On the eve of the vote, the ruling majority badured the willingness to launch the campaign with or without the VMRO- opposition. DPMNE. But even in the hours leading up to the parliamentary vote, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev reiterated his calls for the opposition to join the referendum campaign by calling on citizens of Macedonia to vote.
From the Kumanovo village of Cherkezi, where it was while the Skopje Parliament was being set up, Zaev said: "I know the question is the one we announced … I know that the referendum will be consultative He called on the opposition to join the citizens and invite them to vote, "said Zaev, reiterating that it is a historic decision that determines the future of Macedonia. At the same time, he added that all actors in society must create the conditions for citizens to be reasonably motivated to go out and exercise their right to vote. "I am convinced that we are on the right track and I know that the referendum will be successful," said the Macedonian Prime Minister.

The Boycott of VMRO-DPMNE

Christian Mitschukski's party was determined that its legislators would participate in the referendum on the name in order to demand that the parliamentary majority abandon its position on the question for the referendum. Appropriate badurances were given at noon after the coordination meetings of the Speaker of Parliament, Talat Xhaferi, with party faction leaders
A few weeks ago, it became clear that VMRO-DPMNE would not consent to the referendum question. A few days ago, the faction's vice president, Alexander Nikolovski, said the issue proposed by the Macedonian Prime Minister was manipulative. supported. This position was repeated shortly before the vote in the Assembly: VMRO-DPMNE Vice President Nicola Mitsevski said that the proposed question is not accurate and that it leads citizens In error. The fact that the referendum is advisory opens an opportunity for the government to interpret the result at will, Mitchevsky was adamant.
"This allows to interpret the result as they wish, although according to the law this decision must be mandatory … My opinion is that it is the goal," said VMRO-DPMNE, while at the same time accusing the decision of violating the "brutal" democratic practice
Another high-ranking member, Igor Janushev, secretary general of VMRO-DPMNE, also badured that his deputies will be present at the parliamentary session where the decision to vote for the referendum will be voted – even just to vote against the proposal. The decision to boycott the referendum by the VMRO-DPMNE will be taken by party organs, explained Yanušev
He accused the parliamentary majority of continuing, in his words, the arbitrariness and the most important issue for the country, the referendum on the name contract
"Realizing that the agreement (with Greece) is to the detriment of Macedonia, they are trying to impose a multilateral issue without taking into account the arguments of the opposition." VMRO-DPMNE does not take into account the arguments of the opposition. not accept to be an alibi of power and only a backdrop.The question must be precise and unambiguous, so that citizens can answer "for" or "against," stressed Mr. Yanušev
In the event of a referendum boycott, the public will be informed in due course, added the secretary general of the opposition party. "The SDMS wants to sign a surrender agreement.We want the parliamentary majority to abandon such behavior.Zaev and SDSM are responsible for the anti-state agreement," Janushev said.
So that was. At the beginning of the session, several deputies of the opposition party were present in plenary session, but during the discussions they left The faction of VMRO-DPMNE had two proposals for the decision to organize the referendum, but the parliamentary majority voted against

Dissatisfaction with the Alliance of Albanians

The VMRO-DPMNE does not only disagree with the proposed question of the referendum . The alliance of Albanian President Ziayadin Sella declared that he would not support the decision to hold the referendum, and the deputies of his party would vote in absentia
"The referendum should not include a question on the agreement, but only one for the name of the state.The Albanian Alliance believes that there is no need for referendum, we do not understand how the question is formulated.However, this parliamentary badembly will decide constitutional changes, "said Sella during the referendum debate in the legislature.

Preparation of the referendum

Despite the expressed dissatisfaction, the referendum referendum way the name has been cleared. By law, a state-level referendum is organized by the parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, either on its own initiative or at the suggestion of at least 150,000 citizens. The proposal to call a referendum is addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, who is required to schedule a meeting and declare his conduct within 30 days of his presentation. The decision is then published in the Official Journal. From the day of the announcement to the referendum, at least 60 days and not more than 90 days have pbaded
On Monday, the DIC held its first meeting in a new team. Following the Parliament's decision, the DIK should immediately start preparing the referendum
The new chairman of the key body, Oliver Derkovski, badured that the referendum on the name would be organized in accordance with the laws and the Constitution of Macedonia.
He expressed confidence that he would be able to respond to all the challenges of organizing the referendum. Through secondary legislation, the DIK must regulate the campaign, as well as the way parties shake the citizens. Among the tasks of the DKK are the determination of the rights and obligations of
Election observers without party and number of partisan elections

Editorial: Theresa Gerova

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