Divisions remain deep over the Electoral Code, talks between parties fail again

Another attempt by political parties to bridge their differences over the Electoral Code has ended without result. The sides have remained in their previous positions and, at least for the moment, reaching a consensus still appears far off. The ruling parties have left open another opportunity for the opposition to sit down and reach an agreement on their differences regarding electoral districts, financing and the form of diaspora voting.

“They should agree among themselves on all the differences they have on four key issues, because we see that their platforms are the same but they differ in the details. They should sit down and agree on a single electoral district, on the financing model, on complaints and the way they would be acceptable, and also sit down and agree on the model of diaspora voting. Everything that the opposition parties offer to us through a draft law, we will accept,” said Bojan Stojanoski of VMRO-DPMNE.

From VLEN, Bekim Qoku stressed that for his political bloc it is important that the diaspora have the right to vote, whether electronically or by post, but on condition that the process is secure, transparent and reliable, in line with international standards.

However, the opposition rejects the assessment that there is any closeness in positions among its parties. Disagreements are visible both over the electoral model, where one side is demanding a single electoral district or a single electoral district with open lists and a threshold, while the other side insists on 8 electoral districts, and over the method of diaspora voting, whether it should be conducted online or by mail. For this reason, opposition parties appear pessimistic about the possibility of finding common ground.

“VMRO-DPMNE withdrew from two essential points of the agreement, first from electronic diaspora voting, by demanding that voting be conducted by mail. And second, from the agreement that the SEC’s bylaws related to electronic diaspora voting be adopted by consensus, by demanding that they be adopted by a majority vote. 40:36 Honestly, we have our doubts that this is a game being played behind the scenes and, honestly, I have to say that the final goal has been for an agreement never to be reached, for consensus never to be reached, and to continue with the old Electoral Code,” said Rina Ajdari of DUI.

Ziadin Sela of the Alliance for Albanians said that SDSM and Levica are against electronic diaspora voting, while they support the diaspora voting electronically in presidential, parliamentary and local elections. According to him, in parliamentary elections the diaspora should vote for an electoral district here, adding that these are not minor differences but diametrically opposed positions and, in his view, they amount to tactical maneuvers to shift the blame onto someone else.

On the other hand, Borislav Krmov of Levica said that, in their view, if anything should be discussed, then the focus should be on a single electoral district and not on advancing the diaspora voting system. He stressed that this issue appeared suddenly, somewhere in the last 3 meetings, which according to him means it was introduced as a “poison pill” into the whole situation in order to block the entire process.

SDSM MP Jovanka Trenchevska said the truth is that everything is a lie by Mickoski and VMRO-DPMNE, adding that in her view they have neither the capacity for consensus nor a sincere aim for political dialogue. She stressed that SDSM has nothing to agree on with the opposition, because, according to her, the problem lies with the government, with Mickoski, who wants to manipulate 200,000 votes.

The possibility of further meetings has not been ruled out, but for the moment the parties have still not set a specific date. Efforts to reach consensus between the government and the opposition are aimed at adopting the Electoral Code and unblocking it, after thousands of amendments proposed by the opposition. /Alsat/