Over 10,000 Amendments Hold Electoral Code Hostage, Selmani: EU Calls for a Functioning Rule-of-Law State

More than 10,000 opposition amendments have blocked the Assembly’s adoption of the new Electoral Code. Efforts to resolve the issue are expected to gain momentum in September, while the parties continue to hold opposing positions.

VMRO-DPMNE expects the new Minister of Justice, Jeton Shasivari, to intervene through talks with the SDSM. The latter opposes the possibility of the diaspora voting electronically. At the same time, the European Union is calling for the law to be adopted.

University professor Bashkim Selmani believes that the political parties must reach an agreement on this important European requirement in order to demonstrate to Europe not only the conduct of a fair electoral process, but also the functioning of the rule of law.

According to Selmani, the EU aims for candidate countries to hold credible and competitive elections, have functioning democratic institutions, equality among political entities, and transparency in their financing, which is currently lacking. He also stressed the need for transparency directly linked to free voting and European standards. For this reason, the EU considers electoral reform an essential part of consolidating the state and the rule of law, as well as ensuring the functioning of democracy and democratic institutions, with the aim of advancing European integration.

Selmani emphasized that the Electoral Code represents not only a law defining the organization of elections, but also a contract of trust between citizens and the state. According to him, fair rules produce fair results and strengthen democratic legitimacy, which is assessed not only on election day, but also through the quality of the rules that guarantee the process.

However, the possibility that an agreement may be delayed has not been ruled out. September is also expected to bring the Constitutional Court’s assessment of an initiative by the “Left” party concerning the financing of political parties’ campaigns. The electoral model with six constituencies also remains a contentious issue.

Professor Bashkim Selmani said that the risk of postponement exists, as political differences over important issues, including diaspora voting, the electoral model, and several other provisions, have yet to be overcome. He recalled that in recent weeks there had been reports of a slowdown in the parliamentary procedure as a result of the large number of amendments submitted.

The Assembly failed to adopt the new Electoral Code last month as part of the ten-point reform agenda. No new deadline has currently been set for reaching an agreement, while OSCE recommendations call for legal changes not to be made too close to elections.