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Parliament name (generic / translated) Sobranie / Assembly of the Republic More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1994 - LEADERSHIP President Trajko Veljanoski (M)   Notes 21.06.2008 - Secretary General Zarko Denkovski (M)   COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 120 / 120 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 38 (31.67%) Mode of designation Directly elected 120 Term 4 years Last renewal dates 1 June 2008 29 June 2008 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Sobranie na Republika Makedonija Bul. 11, Oktomvri B.B. 1000 SKOPJE (Export mailing lists) Phone (3892) 3112 255 3113 753 Fax (3892) 3111 675 3135 401 E-mail sobranie@sobranie.mk Website http://www.sobranie.mk/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sobranie / Assembly of the Republic Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 21 September 1990 Last amendment: 31.03.2006 Mode of designation Directly elected 120 Constituencies Six multi-member constituencies (20 seats each) Voting system Proportional: All 120 members of the Sobranie are elected by party list proportional system, using closed lists for four-year terms. The country is divided into six election districts determined by law. Each district elects 20 members of parliament. Each voter votes for a list and seats are distributed on a proportional basis, according to the D'Hondt formula. At least 30 per cent of the candidates on each list must be of different gender. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through the "next-in-line" candidates of the same party. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - FYR Macedonian citizenship (including naturalized citizens) - disqualifications: civil incapacity (to perform legal acts), holders of temporary entry permits, undocumented immigrants CANDIDATES Eligibility - qualified electors - age: 18 years - FYR Macedonian citizenship (including naturalized citizens) - ineligibilities: any imprisonment, persons serving sentences, holders of temporary entry permits, undocumented immigrants, executives of the Electoral Commission, members of the Electoral Commission Incompatibilities - President of the Republic - Prime Minister - Ministers - Judges of the Constitutional Court - Public prosecutor - Ombudsman - Mayor or member of a council in a municipality and the city of Skopje - holders of other elective office - holders of offices appointed by the Assembly or the Government - persons in charge of administrative matters in state administration bodies Candidacy requirements - nomination by registered political parties, individually or two or more parties, which can jointly submit a party list of candidates - nomination by a group of voters: at least 500 signatures of the voters of the constituency concerned, registered in the General Voters Register are required - submission of candidatures at least 40 days prior to polling

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sobranie / Assembly of the Republic Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) (from/to) 1 June 2008 29 June 2008 Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all seats in the Assembly following the premature dissolution of this body on 12 April 2008. The elections had previously been held on 5 July 2006. On 11 April 2008, the Assembly of the Republic voted to dissolve itself, paving the way for early elections for the first time since the country gained independence in 1991. Speaker Ljubisha Georgievski subsequently called elections for 1 June, almost two years earlier than they were statutorily due. In the previous elections held in July 2006, the 14-party coalition led by the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE, see note 1) won 45 of the 120 seats in the Assembly of the Republic. The "Together for Macedonia" coalition led by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), took 32 seats, while the Albanian Democratic Union for Integration-Party for Democratic Prosperity Coalition (DUI-PDP) obtained 17 seats. President Branko Crvenkovsi (SDSM) subsequently designated the VMRO-DPMNE leader, Mr. Nikola Gruevski, as Prime Minister. He formed a coalition government comprising the VMRO-DPMNE, the Democratic Party of Albanians (PDS, 11 seats), the New Social Democratic Party (NSDP - a breakaway from the SDSM, seven seats) and some non-partisan members. Although the 2006 elections went off in relative peace in the ethnic Albanian community (which accounts for a quarter of the country's 2.1 million inhabitants), the rivalry between the PDS and the DUI was re-ignited following Prime Minister Gruevski's decision to include only the smaller PDS in the coalition government. The DUI led street protests in a bid to join the government. It boycotted the parliament for most of 2007, finally returning in late 2007 after the government agreed to pass several remaining laws that related to the Ohrid Framework Agreement (a peace deal signed by the government and the Albanian community in 2001). Political turmoil continued in 2008. On 14 March, the PDS, which had been demanding six new rights for the Albanian community (see note 2), withdrew from the government for ten days in protest at the government's decision not to recognize Kosovo (which declared independence from Serbia in February). On 2 April, the country's bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) faced a veto by Greece due to a row over the use of the country's name. Prime Minister Gruevski had pledged to use the name "Republic of Macedonia", as written in the country's constitution. Greece, which has a northern province with the same name, had refused the name for fear of an eventual territorial claim and insisted that the name should be changed to "New Macedonia" or "Upper Macedonia". On 8 April, the DUI leader Mr. Ali Ahmeti submitted a motion to dissolve the parliament for early elections. The DUI argued that the government had no capacity to negotiate the country's new name with Greece. Prime Minister Gruevski argued that he needed a stronger force in parliament to push forward the country's accession to NATO and the European Union (EU). The opposition SDSM criticized the call for early elections, arguing that greater priority should be given to implementing remaining reforms required to join those organizations and insisting that the VMRO-DPMNE was trying to use the anti-Hellenic mood to boost its support. President Crvenkovsi emphasized that the country needed political stability and a consensus between ethnic Macedonians and Albanians. In the end, the motion was supported by 70 members from the DUI, the VMRO-DPMNE and the DPA, thus paving the way for the early elections. The SDSM and the NSDP boycotted the vote. Two major coalitions contested the 2008 elections. Prime Minister Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE formed an electoral coalition "For a Better Macedonia" comprising 18 small parties (see note 3). It focused on the government's achievements, citing 5 per cent GDP growth in 2007, the highest since the country achieved independence. Prime Minister Gruevski claimed that his policy of combating organized crime had contributed to the country's economic development. He stressed that the country's future was in the EU and NATO. He also promised to cooperate with the party that won a majority of the vote in the Albanian community. SDSM leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, Ms. Radmila Sekerinska, led the "Sun - Coalition for Europe", composed of the SDSM and seven parties (see note 4) including the NSDP. Ms. Sekerinska pledged to work for a quick resolution to the "name" row with Greece so as to enable the country's immediate accession to the NATO. She also promised to obtain a recommendation for EU accession talks within six months if the coalition won the elections. On 14 April, DUI leader Ahmeti dismissed rumours that he intended to form an electoral coalition with his party's rival, the PDS. He argued that his party had stronger support among ethnic Albanians and therefore, such a coalition would not be beneficial. Finally, the PDS, led by Mr. Menduh Thaci, as well as another Albanian party, the Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP, which had been in coalition with the DUI in the 2006 elections), fielded candidates separately in 2008. Organizing peaceful elections was a key criterion for the country's bid for accession to the EU and NATO. However, violence was rife during the election campaign, mainly among the Albanian community. According to the Interior Ministry, on election day, gun battles between rival Albanian groups killed one person, while eight others were injured. Twenty-one people were arrested. On 1 June, 58.73 per cent of the 1.7 million registered voters turned out at the polls. The voting at 22 polling stations was suspended due to acts of intimidation, and the results of almost all polling stations in three constituencies were invalidated. Prime Minister Gruevski blamed the DUI and the PDS for the violent incidents and claimed that such violence tarnished the country's reputation. The State Election Commission (SEC) reviewed appeals by the DUI, the DPA, the PDP, the Sun Coalition, and other small parties, and ordered re-runs to be held on 15 June in 186 of the 2,976 polling stations. In addition, elections for six seats were repeated on 29 June. Turnout for the re-runs was recorded at 48.90 per cent and 41.30 per cent respectively. The OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe observed the polls. The OSCE concluded that, while well-administered, the elections did not meet certain key commitments of the OSCE and the Council of Europe. It urged the State to take substantial measures to hold accountable those responsible for violence and election-related offences. The final results gave Prime Minister's VMRO-DPMNE Coalition a majority in parliament with 63 seats. The Sun Coalition came in second with 27. The DUI won 18 seats, while the PDS took 11. In all, 36 women were elected. On 21 June, the newly elected Assembly of the Republic held its first session and elected Mr. Trajko Veljanoski (VMRO-DPMNE) as its new Speaker. On 23 June, President Crvenkovski requested outgoing Prime Minister Gruevski to form a new government. Note 1: The VMRO-DPMNE Coalition (in the 2006 elections) included the following parties: - VMRO-DPMNE - Liberal Party of Macedonia - Party of Macedonia - Democratic Union - Party for Movement of Turks in Macedonia - Union of Roma in Macedonia - Party of Democratic Action of Macedonia - SDA - Party of Vlachs of Macedonia - European Party of Macedonia - Green Party - People's Movement of Macedonia - Democratic Party of the Bosniaks - Party of Democratic Forces of Roma in Macedonia - Party for Roma Integration Note 2: The six new rights included larger quotas for Albanians in the State administration, placing the Albanian flag together with the national flag in front of State institutions, wider use of the Albanian language, and the rehabilitation of the former fighters of the Army for National Liberation that had staged a revolt in the northwest of the country in 2001. Note 3: The VMRO-DPMNE - "For a Better Macedonia" coalition included the following parties: - VMRO-DPMNE - Socialist Party of Macedonia - Democratic Union - Democratic Renewal of Macedonia - Democratic Party of Turks in Macedonia - Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia - Union of Roma in Macedonia - VMRO - Macedonian - United Party for Emancipation - Party of Justice - Party for Democratic Action in Macedonia - Party of Vlachs in Macedonia - Party for the Integration of Roma - People's Movement for Macedonia - Bosniacs' Democratic Party - Party of Greens - Democratic Union of Roma - Party of Workers and Farmers of Macedonia - Party for the Full Emancipation of Roma Note 4: The "Sun - Coalition for Europe" comprised the following parties: - Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) - New Social Democratic Party (NSDP) - Liberal Democratic Party - Liberal Party of Macedonia - New Alternative - Green Party of Macedonia - Party of Pensioners of the Republic of Macedonia - Democratic Union of Vlachs in Macedonia STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 (from/to) 1 June 2008 29 June 2008 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 1'779'116 1'031'632 (57.99%) 30'656 1'000'976 Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes VMRO-DPMNE - "For a Better Macedonia" Coalition 481'602 48.11 "Sun - Coalition for Europe" 233'362 23.31 Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) 125'997 12.59 Democratic Party of the Albanians (PDS) 83'678 8.36 Party for European Future (PEI) 14'473 1.45 Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats VMRO-DPMNE - "For a Better Macedonia" Coalition 63 "Sun - Coalition for Europe" 27 Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) 18 Democratic Party of the Albanians (PDS) 11 Party for European Future (PEI) 1 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 84 36 30.00% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Note on distribution of seats according to sex: Thirty-six women were elected in June 2008. However, after the formation of the new government in July, the total number of women parliamentarians increased to 38 (31.67 per cent). Sources: - http://www.sec.mk:90/english/ - Assembly of the Republic (26.06.2008, 30.06.2008, 13.08.2008)

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sobranie / Assembly of the Republic Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title President of the Assembly of the Republic Term - duration: 4 years (term of House); elected on 19/11/98 - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of Parliament Appointment - elected by all MPs - election is held at the first constitutive session of the Assembly - election is held after Members' mandates have been validated Eligibility - any MP may be candidate - formal notification of candidatures have to be submitted by the Assembly Commission for Issues on Elections and Appointments or by at least 20 MPs - candidatures are proposed at the first sitting of the new Assembly Voting system - formal vote by public ballot (by show of hands) or secret ballot if the Assembly so decides - a majority of votes cast of the MPs present is required in the first round - if no candidate obtains the required majority in the first round, several rounds are held; the second and subsequent rounds are held between the two candidates having obtained the largest number of votes Procedures / results - the oldest MP presides over the Assembly during the voting - all MPs supervise the voting - the oldest MP announces the results without any delay - the results are confirmed by the Assembly - the results can be challenged if the vote has been public and if one MP, with the support of 10 other MPs, requests a verification STATUS Status - ranks second in the hierarchy of State after the President of the Republic and he is called upon as acting Head of State in the event of a vacancy - represents the Assembly with the public authorities - represents the Assembly in international bodies - is ex officio member of the Council of Inter-Ethnic Relations - in the absence of the President of the Assembly, one of the Vice-Presidents can assume his/her role and functions Board Material facilities - same salary as the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister - official car - body guards FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions - proposes the agenda which can be altered at the request of MPs and Government - organizes the debates and sets speaking time, with the agreement of MPs - refers texts to a committee for study - may propose to set up committees of enquiry, but the Assembly will take the final decision The MPs examine the admissibility of bills and amendments Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak - calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities - checks the quorum - authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates - interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly together with the Vice-Presidents Special powers - is responsible for establishing the Assembly's budget - recruits, assigns and promotes staff together with the Secretary General - plays a specific role in the appointment of the Secretary General - organizes the services of Parliament together with the Vice-Presidents - is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the security service in the event of disturbance in the Chamber Speaking and voting rights, other functions - is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the security service in the event of disturbance in the Chamber

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sobranie / Assembly of the Republic Structure of parliament Unicameral NATURE Nature of the mandate · Free representation (Art. 62 (3) of the Constitution of 17.11.1991, as amended up to and including 06.01.1992) Start of the mandate · When the mandates are validated (Art. 20 (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, see Validation of mandates) Validation of mandates · Validation by the Assembly (Art. 63 (1) of the Constitution) · Procedure (Art. 5 to 11 of the Temporary Regulations of the Assembly of the Socialistic Republic of Macedonia) End of the mandate · On the day when the newly elected Parliament meets (for early dissolution, see Art. 63 (5) of the Constitution) Can MPs resign? Yes · Yes, of their own free will (Art. 65 (1) of the Constitution) · Procedure (Art. 65 (2) of the Constitution): the representative submits his resignation in person at a session of the Assembly. · Authority competent to accept the resignation: the resignation does not need to be accepted Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) No revocation before expiry of mandate (Art. 62 (4) of the Constitution) (b) Definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter (Art. 65 (4) of the Constitution): - Commission of a criminal offence making the person unfit to perform the office of a representative - Absence from the Assembly for longer than 6 months for no justifiable reason - General procedure: decision of the Assembly by a two-thirds majority vote of all representatives (c) Loss of mandate by judicial decision: sentence for criminal offence for which a prison sentence of at least five years is prescribed (Art. 65 (3) of the Constitution) STATUS OF MEMBERS Rank in hierarchy · Within Parliament: 1. The President 2. The Vice-Presidents 3. The Chairmen of permanent and temporary working bodies 4. The Co-ordinators of parliamentary groups 5. The other MPs Indemnities, facilities and services · Diplomatic passport (Law on Travel Documents of the Citizens of the Republic of Macedonia) · Basic salary (Art. 64 (6) of the Constitution, Law on Salaries and Other Indemnities of the Representatives in the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and Other Elected and Appointed Officials in the Republic of Macedonia): MKD 18.977, if chosen + Representative Allowance: MKD 5.360 per month · The basic salary is not tax exempt. The Representative Allowance is taxed with personal income tax, but exempt from contributions. · Pension scheme · Other facilities: (a) Secretariat/assistants (see also Art. 62 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia): Service of the Assembly; cabinet for the President and Vice-Presidents; technical secretaries for the Co-ordinators of parliamentary groups and for the parliamentary groups (c) Official housing for the representatives who receive a salary in the Assembly (d) Official cars of the Assembly, for official duties and for the President and the Vice-Presidents (e) Travel and transport: free railway and bus transport Obligation to declare personal assets No Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Art. 64 (1) and (2) of the Constitution). · Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament. · No derogations are foreseen. · Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins. Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Art. 64 (1) and (3) of the Constitution). · It applies only to criminal proceedings, covers all offences with the exception of minor offences (infringements) and protects MPs only from arrest and from being held in preventive custody. See also Loss of mandate - (b), and (c). · Derogations: when caught in flagrante delicto, committing a criminal offence for which a prison sentence of at least five years is prescribed, a representative can be detained. · Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal. · Protection is provided from the start to the end of the mandate. Since it does not cover judicial proceedings in general, it does not cover judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election. · Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (Art. 64 (3) of the Constitution): - Competent authority: the Assembly, on recommendation of the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Issues of Mandate and Immunity - Procedure (Art. 64 (4) of the Constitution). · Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions. · Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members. EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE Training · There is no training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs. · Handbooks of parliamentary procedure: - Temporary Regulations of the Assembly of the Socialistic Republic of Macedonia - Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings, meetings of working bodies and other meetings (Art. 26 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia). For leave of absence, see Art. 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia. · Penalties foreseen in case of failure to fulfil this obligation (Art. 65 (4) of the Constitution): loss of mandate · Body competent to judge such cases/to impose penalties: the Assembly Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in Art. 108 to 111 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia. · Disciplinary measures foreseen: - Warning (Art. 109 and 110 (1) and (3) of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia) - Order to cease speaking (Art. 109 and 110 (2) and (3) of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia) - Adjournment of the sitting (Art. 111 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia) · Specific cases: - MPs cannot be accused of offending or insulting Parliament. · Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties (Art. 108 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia): the President · Procedure (Art. 109 to 111 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia) Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system. Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

This page was last updated on 10 October 2008
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