LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Presence of UNMIK necessary for dignified life of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (Beta/Politika/RTS/Novosti)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic pointed out during a meeting with UNMIK Head Zahir Tanin to the importance of further uninterrupted presence and operation of that mission in order to create conditions for a normal and dignified life our people in the province. Brnabic said that tension has grown in recent months as a result of frequent provocation and incidents in Kosovo and Metohija and expressed the expectation that UNMIK reports in the following period will reflect more the real situation and everyday problems faced by Serbs and other non-Albanian communities. She said that she hopes that UN Security Council sessions will continue to be held with the same dynamic in the current format and expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the regular session on the work of UNMIK, in August this year, was not included in the UN Security Council’s work program. Tanin underlined that the task of this mission is to inform objectively and regularly about the state of affairs on the ground and to assist UN institutions with its reports, but also those of the EU, under whose auspices the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is taking place. He expressed concern over frequent incidents in Kosovo and Metohija in previous months and condemned yesterday’s stoning of buses with Serbs in the municipality of Istok, and called on the relevant institutions to investigate the case and bring the perpetrators to justice. Brnabic also pointed to the inadmissibility of forming the Kosovo Armed Forces, which is in opposition to UNSCR 1244, and assessed that such a move would further destabilize and disrupt the security situation in the province and the region. She stated that Serbia is honestly committed to the policy of peace, economic progress and prosperity, and to finding a compromise and sustainable solution for Kosovo and Metohija, which would significantly contribute to stability, security and trust in the region. To that end, Serbia is committed to dialogue as the only way to find a long-term sustainable solution, the Prime Minister said, adding that dialogue must be continued.

Dacic: Keeping current dynamics and format of UN SC sessions on UNMIK’s work (Beta)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic received UNMIK Head Zahir Tanin, within his regular visit to Belgrade on the eve of the upcoming session of the UN Security Council on UNMIK’s work. They discussed the current fragile security and political situation in Kosovo and Metohija, especially within the context of a series of provocative and unilateral moves undertaken by the Pristina side over the past period, and which are opposed to the spirit of the dialogue and which additionally increase tensions. It was pointed to the importance of further uninterrupted presence and operation of UNMIK in order to create conditions for a normal and dignified life of Serbs and members of other non-Albanian communities in Kosovo and Metohija, in line with UNSCR 1244. Dacic stressed that keeping the current dynamics and format of UN SC sessions on UNMIK’s work was of vital importance, especially at a moment of intensive efforts for finding a compromise and sustainable solution within the dialogue with Pristina. The topics of talks were also the perspective of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and UNMIK’s further engagement in key fields of the mandate, such as the creation of conditions for a sustainable return of internally displaced persons from Kosovo and Metohija. Dacic voiced special gratitude to the interlocutor for the invested efforts in realizing UNMIK’s mandate, along with the expectation that the Mission would continue to operate in full capacity in the following period as well, in lince with UNSCR 1244.

Brammertz to Vucic: Regional cooperation isn’t good (Beta)

The Chief Prosecutor for the UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) Serge Brammertz said in Belgrade on Tuesday he was not satisfied with the cooperation among the Balkans states, Beta reports. The topics in the meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Brammertz included his forthcoming report to the UN Security Council, the performance of The Hague Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia and the MICT’s support to empowering institutions and knowledge transfer to Serbia’s judiciary, Vucic’s office said in a statement. The two said it was necessary to pay particular attention to the missing person issue. Serbia’s President said that any improvement in that area would upgrade the Serbia – Croatia relations. The statement quoted Vucic as saying that Belgrade cooperation with the MICT was going on continuously and at a good level,” and that Serbia would, despite disagreements about some topics, continue to strengthen the cooperation with the MICT. Brammertz has said that as a part of the assistance to Serbia, MICT will, together with the Judicial Academy, organize training for prosecutors who work on war crimes case.

Stefanovic: Kosovo’s admittance in Interpol – catastrophe for the entire world (Tanjug/Kurir)

Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic has stated that any story on the request for admittance of the so-called Kosovo in Interpol represents politicization of this professional police organization. Eventual admittance would represent harsh violation of international law and UNSCR 1244, Stefanovic told Kurir. He also says that this would be a precedent that is opposed to Interpol’s rules, which strictly and unequivocally predicts that only UN member states and observers can be Interpol members. An eventual decision of the General Assembly on the admitting the so-called state of Kosovo would represent a purely political decision, which is not based on international law, while the consequences would be detrimental not only for Serbia, but also for all other Interpol members, said Stefanovic.

Gojkovic in Duma: Russia’s support invaluable (RTS/Tanjug)

Serbian parliament speaker Maja Gojkovic addressed the members of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation saying that the two nations have always been on the same side of history, fighting for freedom, independence and national identity and can today proudly say that their relations have withstood the test of time, common tragedies and victories.

“This year marks a number of important dates, 180 years of diplomatic relations, 100 years since the end of World War One, victory over fascism and many, many more,” said Gojkovic adding that the Serbian people would hardly have survived and achieved its national and state goals had it not in crucial moments been supported by the great and brotherly Russian people. Gojkovic thanked Russia for its principled and consistent support of Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in Kosovo and Metohija stressing that this is the hardest and biggest problem for the Serbian people and state, one of global consequence which demands perseverance, wisdom and strength to, in the face of brutal violence over innocent and powerless victims, memorials and churches, harsh unilateralism, constant provocation and superficiality and cynicism of many, find a just and sustainable solution. Gojkovic said that Serbia is investing all of its power into finding that solution, keeping peace and security, an effort in which the Russian people and state’s present and future support is invaluable, adding that Russia understands better than anyone else what Serbia is up against. Gojkovic said that it is a well-known fact that full EU membership is Serbia’s foreign policy priority and the country is making sure that the process also complies with its wish to advance cooperation with its partners and friends at the international, regional and global scene. She stressed that Serbia, with its complex geo-political and unstable environment, respecting the freedom-loving sprit, will and dignity of its citizens, adopted a decision on military neutrality at the parliament. “Serbia has no wish or aspirations to become a NATO member state. Our history with the alliance is fraught with too many difficulties to even consider it. At the same time, we remain open, which the policy of neutrality allows, to active cooperation with all the partners and security factors in the region and beyond to preserve peace and stability,” said Gojkovic. She said that the parliament, in a principled and consistent manner, in line with the state policy, strives for free and equal cooperation on the international scene, without sanctions, adding that Serbia would under no circumstances impose any sanctions against the brotherly Russian Federation and its people, and that the Serbian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe would do all in its power, in a principled and consistent manner, to make sure that full rights be returned to the Russian delegation in line with international law. Gojkovic said that the cooperation with the State Duma and the Federation Council has reached the very pinnacle, as evidenced by the establishment of the Parliamentary Cooperation Commission as a unique type of parliamentary cooperation.

REGIONAL PRESS

CEC publishes election results; political parties have three-day deadline to file complaints (FTV)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) published on Monday the results of general elections that were held on October 7, 2018. There are no major changes compared to preliminary results. According to the results, SDA’s Sefik Dzaferovic was elected the Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency, DF’s Zeljko Komsic the Croat member of the B&H Presidency and SNSD’s Milorad Dodik the Serb member of the B&H Presidency.

SNSD’s Zeljka Cvijanovic was elected the RS President, while SDA’s Ramiz Salkic and HDZ B&H’s Josip Jerkovic were elected the RS Vice Presidents. According to the results for the B&H House of Representatives (HoR), 14 parties will assume a total of 42 seats, nine of which go to SDA – eight plus one from the RS, five to HDZ B&H, five to SDP B&H, three to DF, two to SBB B&H, two to Our Party (NS), one to Independent Bloc (NB), one to PDA and one to A-SDA, based on the votes coming from the Federation of B&H. At the same time, six seats go to SNSD, three to SDS, two to PDP, one to DNS and one to SP RS, based on the votes coming from the RS.

According to the results for the Federation of B&H HoR with a total of 98 seats, SDA won 27 seats, followed by SDP B&H and HDZ B&H that won 16 seats each, DF 10 seats, SBB B&H eight seats, NS six seats, PDA and NB four seats each, A-SDA, HDZ 1990 and People and Justice (NiP) two seats each and Labor Party (LS) one seat.

According to the results for the RS parliament, eight parties will assume a total of 83 seats, 28 of which go to SNSD, 16 to SDS, 12 to DNS, nine to PDP, seven to SP RS, four to Together for B&H (ZZB&H), four to NDP and three to United Srpska (US). The results are not official, given the fact that political parties are entitled to submit complaints within the next three days.

CEC President Branko Petric stated on Monday that the CEC will only consider the requests for recounting of votes if they are submitted within this deadline. He added that these requests should be submitted by authorized persons and include reasons referring to articles of the laws that were possibly violated. “There should also be an explanation on how the election results could be affected. The CEC will reject any complaint that is not submitted in this way,” Petric explained. He added that the CEC is also entitled to order recounting of votes from certain polling stations or from the entire constituencies – ex officio.

HDZ B&H leader Covic and SNSD leader Dodik agree on formation of ruling coalition (TV1)

HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik held an informal meeting in Banja Luka on Sunday evening and agreed on formation of a ruling coalition in B&H. They emphasized the European path as well as amending of the Election Law of B&H as their priorities. Covic confirmed this information, while they did not make any official media statements after the meeting. In the interview for Nezavisne Covic said that authority at B&H will be formed by SNSD and HDZ B&H for certain, noting that it is necessary to sit down and discuss the third partner. “The situation is similar in the Federation of B&H. In five cantons, the authority cannot be formed without HDZ”, noted Covic. He did not want to comment much the possibility of finding partners among Bosniaks without SDA, saying that everything will depend on the talks about the principles that he mentioned and then it is possible to be partners and work on Reform Agenda and other issues. Covic goes on and talks about partnership between HDZ B&H and SNSD, saying that Milorad Dodik and he agreed to draft a Reform Agenda for the EU adding that everything will in fact depend of the moves of the Bosniaks side, where they have to agree among themselves who has legitimacy in a way that Dodik and he do. “These people then have to understand that the current approach of establishing of a unitary and single-ethnic state cannot pass. All these delusions have to find their place when things about the Election Law are agreed and Dayton has to become a base for our actions”, said Covic. He further noted that HDZ B&H will have their representatives in the RS government and SNSD in the Federation of B&H’s, and he promised that the issue of constituent status of Serb people in cantons with Croat majority will be solved soon.

DF, SDP B&H and NS working on coalition agreement (Dnevni list)

Second meeting of negotiating teams of Our Party (NS), SDP and DF dedicated to formation of new authorities in the Sarajevo Canton (SC) should most probably take place this week. According to Vijesti.ba, exact date of the meeting has not been determined yet, adding that the three parties are working on determining principles of the future coalition. Member of DF negotiating team and member of DF Presidency Milan Dunovic told Vijesti.ba that as soon as something is agreed upon, the public will be immediately informed about it. He added that there have not been new meetings among the three parties since Friday and that a new meeting should happen this week. “We must harmonize some basic principles, but in any case there has not been nor there will not be any talks about (distribution of) ministries in the near future” stated Dunovic.

SDA, HDZ B&H, SNSD, DNS and SP RS have 21 MPs in B&H HoR, it would appear Izetbegovic will have to find necessary votes to secure parliamentary majority (Dnevni list)

Daily notes it is currently very difficult to predict when and which parties will form new legislative and executive authorities. According to the daily, there is popular belief that SDA, HDZ B&H and SNSD will form new Council of Ministers (CoM) of B&H, namely that the three aforementioned parties will somehow manage to secure the parliamentary majority. The three parties plus DNS and SP RS have 21 representatives (in the B&H House of Representatives), which means they need one more vote to secure simple majority, which leads the author to say that Dragan Covic, Milorad Dodik and Bakir Izetbegovic cannot find another vote using regular methods, adding that they resort to buying a representative in order to secure the majority. In this context daily notes it is likely that the burden of securing the majority will fall onto Izetbegovic, namely he will have to strengthen the Bosniak side. Izetbegovic will have to choose from representatives of SDP, DF, SBB B&H, Our Party, Independent Bloc, PDA and A-SDA, which is a big problem because all these parties underlined they will not form coalition with SDA, HDZ B&H and SNSD. Daily also comments that Covic is not in the hurry to form new authorities because he first wants to resolve the issue of changes of Law of Elections, whilst Dodik is in the hurry to return SNSD into the state authorities.

Inzko advocates faster granting of EU candidate status to B&H (TV1)

Addressing the Economic Summit in Belgrade on Monday, High Representative Valentin Inzko advocated faster granting of the EU candidate status to B&H, assessing that such status would improve the rule of law that is in interest of both the region and the EU. According to Inzko, B&H’s stability and its clear European perspective would thereby be preserved. Inzko announced that he will recommend to European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn that, when B&H fulfills all the conditions, it should gain early candidate status and later the membership, too. The High Representative compared B&H’s status to an engagement, where there are plans and realizations until the marriage occurs. “It is not yet a candidate, but it has progressed quite well and should become one soon”, the High Representative stressed. He warned that the processes in this regard should speed up because waiting for too long could cause loss of motivation.

Former Prime Minister sentenced to prison for war profiteering (Hina)

Former Prime Minister and former HDZ president Ivo Sanader was found guilty of war profiteering on Monday in a Hypo case retrial and sentenced to two and a half years pending appeal. Zagreb County Court judge Jasna Galesic said Sanader must return 3.6 million kuna into the state budget. In the Hypo case, Sanader was accused of taking a commission in that amount when he was a deputy foreign minister after Austria’s Hypo bank gave Croatia a loan to buy diplomatic office buildings. At the time, Croatia was in immediate war danger, so Sanader was also accused of war profiteering. At the end of the trial, Sanader said he was not a war profiteer. The prosecution said the opposite, claiming in closing arguments that war profiteering had been proved and that he had been downplaying his role the whole time. Sanader was already sentenced in this case, when he was also sentenced for taking a bribe from MOL director Zsolt Hernadi in exchange of management rights in INA. However, the Constitutional Court quashed the ruling in the Hypo case and requested a retrial. The quashed sentence was the first sentence for war profiteering delivered after the Constitutional Court ruled that there was no statute of limitations on that crime. Quashing it, the Court said the Zagreb County Court and the Supreme Court did not establish if the statute of limitations applied when Sanader was accused and that they failed to enforce a milder law. Explaining the court’s conviction war profiteering, Judge Galesic overturned the claims by the defence that a statute of limitations had occurred and confirmed that as deputy foreign minister, Sanader was responsible for negotiations with the Hypo Bank and that he had exploited the circumstances of war in the country for his own personal gain. In that way he “unscrupulously assisted in the destruction of the democratic system, the deterioration of the economy and of the country’s reputation,” Judge Galesic said.

The time Sanader has already spent in prison since the charges were filed both in Croatia and Austria will be counted against his sentence. Therefore, once the conviction becomes final, he won’t need to go behind bars. He does, however, have to pay back the amount of money he illegally gained to the state budget and that is 3.6 million Kuna. According to the trial chamber, at the end of 1994 and early 1995, Sanader exploited his position to negotiate with the Hypo Bank, promising the bank a preferential treatment on the Croatian market, which is obvious in later loan arrangements by several Croatian companies with that bank. Even though he was authorized to conduct the negotiations with the bank he was not authorized to take a commission which was agreed to tete a tete with the bank’s then director, Guenter Striedinger. The fact that he exploited the circumstances of war is obvious from the fact that the offence was committed when the major part of the budget was allocated to the country’s defense. During the war, the country’s credit rating was so low, which is why it was difficult for the country to find a bank that would provide favorable loans, the court concluded. At the same time, Croatia had to expand its diplomatic network, in order to spread the truth about the war, among other things, and taking a commission in those circumstances by the deputy foreign minister whose role it was to represent Croatia’s interests “is nothing but war profiteering,” Judge Galesic concluded. She explained that had there not been an impending danger of war, Sanader would not have been in a position to take that commission. For Sanader to earn that much money as he received in the commission, he would have to have worked for 64 years or earn two thousand average pays, the judge said. The judge said that mitigating circumstances existed due to the period of time that has elapsed, the fact that Sanader had no previous final convictions against him, and his participation in the Homeland War. On the other hand, she considered the fact that he was a senior official whose duty it was to protect law and order and promote the country abroad and not act greedily, to be aggravating circumstances in this case. Public interest, however, cannot be satisfied merely by a sentence which Sanader has already served (during the pretrial detention), but it is also important that he repays the illegally gained money, the judge concluded.

Palmer: Eighty votes in favor of Prespa Agreement chart Macedonia’s path to European future (MIA)

The eighty votes in favor of the Prespa Agreement in parliament represent a historic turning point, which opens the path forward for a European future for Macedonia and its people, said Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U. S. Department of State Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Palmer during a press conference with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on Monday.

“As you move forward on this path towards European integration, towards membership in NATO, towards the opening of accession negotiations on membership in the EU and eventual membership in the EU, Macedonia, the Macedonian leadership, and the Macedonian people can rely on the friendship and support of the United States of America” he said. According to Palmer, the Prime Minister and he “had a wide-ranging discussion today regarding the Prespa Agreement, the process of implementation, the path forward, the NATO process, the EU process, and the US-Macedonian bilateral relationship and ways that we can work together to further deepen and strengthen what is already an excellent relationship.” Asked whether it there was any message to be inferred from his not meeting VMRO-DPMNE’s leader Hristijan Mickoski and President Gjorge Ivanov, Palmer said that on any given trip there was limited time with which to work and choices needed to be made as to how that time could best be used. “I’ve spoken at length with Mr. Mickoski. He sent us a letter just a couple of days ago that laid out his thinking and the views of the VMRO party at length. I read that letter very carefully. I did meet with a wide range of parliamentarians today, including parliamentarians from VMRO-DPMNE, so no, I would not read [any] message into my schedule for this visit.” In that context, Palmer added that the US strongly supports the Prespa Agreement, which is essential for Macedonia to chart the path forward to a European future. “The Macedonian public supports this,” Palmer said. “We’re very pleased that the outcome of the process, the vote on Friday, was one that was supportive of that future, and we intend to work closely with the government and with those MPs who voted in support of that Agreement going forward to ensure that it is implemented in full, giving Greece the opportunity to meet its responsibilities to ratify the Agreement and then to support Macedonia as it moves forward towards European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.” Zaev pointed out that Palmer’s visit is taking place at a critical moment for Macedonia, only a few days after parliament made a big step forward towards the future. “We agreed that the decision of the MPs has a historical significance. This decision by MPs both from the government and the opposition has once again reaffirmed the Euro-Atlantic course of our country’s future. The MPs and the democratic forces in the country courageously took the responsibility and wrote history,” Zaev said. “They prevented Macedonia from going back into the dark past, and stopped the risk of new isolation, which this time would have had disastrous proportions for the country. “Instead, the courageous and responsible delegates of the people have shown, by voting, that they are ready to achieve their goal, which is for Macedonia to become a NATO member and start EU negotiations.” “The decision of the MPs,” Zaev added, “is also an incentive to turn the next page of our country’s beautiful history. Let’s start writing down future events with political reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity. We need these things more than ever.” He added he has great faith that Macedonia’s citizens can show the world this is a time when they can stand united around their strategic interests. “Now is the time we can prove to ourselves, as well, that we are a responsible society, which can leave past divisions behind. Reconciliation and unity have set out of Parliament. Let’s give them a chance to reach any fabric of society tainted by divisions, for our country’s sake,” Zaev said following the meeting with Palmer. This is Palmer’s second visit to the country this year. The US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs previously met with Macedonian top officials in August.

MoFA rejects claims of Russian counterpart institution on decision to initiate constitutional revision (MIA)

On Monday, the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the parliament’s decision to initiate constitutional revision came as a result of blackmail, intimidation and vote buying. The ministry says the United States manipulated “the irregular vote” in the Macedonian parliament. “This amount of manipulation cannot be perceived as a reflection of the parliament’s will,” reads the press release and adds that the required majority was secured by way of blackmail, intimidation and bribes of opposition MPs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has strongly rejected claims by the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Parliament’s decision to initiate constitutional revision. “MoFA considers the claims as completely unfounded and untrue, and as having clear tendency to compromise the political process of historic significance for Macedonia and its citizens. MPs, while fully respecting democratic principles and parliamentary procedures, have endorsed a decision that reflects Macedonia’s decades-long commitment to join NATO and EU. These strategic priorities enjoy the broadest possible consensus, a fact well-known to our Russian friends,” the MoFA said in a press release. It adds that Macedonia remains committed to the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration and will promote the development and enhancement of relations with the Russian Federation, based on the traditional friendship between the two nations, as well as the mutual respect of the right to a free choice of one’s future.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

(North) Macedonia, the price of a name (Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, by Ilcho Cvetanoski, 23 October 2018)

With the support of some opposition MPs, the Skopje government has started the process of changing the country’s constitution and name. The controversial process is unlikely to end before January 2019

Last Friday night, the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia initiated the final stage of the implementation of the Prespa agreement with Greece, i.e. changing the constitutional name Republic of Macedonia into Republic of North Macedonia, together with three other constitutional amendments. After five days of debates, negotiations, and bargaining, the pro-agreement parties, backed by international diplomacy, managed to secure the necessary qualified majority of two-thirds, 80 out of 120 MPs. This was easier said than done, as all pro-agreement parties together relied on 72 votes, and the other eight could only be obtained from the VMRO-DPMNE opposition. How they managed to secure those eight votes is a complicated “House of Cards” story. For some, led by the motto “the end justifies the means”, it was a reasonable price to be paid in order to unblock Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration. For others, though, it highlighted the core problem of Macedonian society: the disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law. However, the process has now started. Yet, the deal is not sealed, as the amendments still need to be debated and voted in the Assembly. Best case scenario, the whole procedure could end in the middle of January 2019. Only then the new official name will be Republic of North Macedonia – not, like many international media wrote, after last Friday’s vote.

How was it done?

Following September 30th’s unsuccessful consultative “name referendum” – when the turnout was 36.89%, way below the designated threshold of 50% plus one – there were two options on the table for Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and his ruling coalition. To secure eight VMRO-DPMNE votes to continue the process – something which seemed highly unlikely at that time – or to call for snap elections, hoping that all pro-agreement parties would get a 2/3 majority. This, however, seemed almost impossible, since in such a scenario required VMRO-DPMNE to win less than 40 MPs, compared to the current 51. Without a significant chance of winning 2/3 majority, early elections would have probably just been a waste of time, risking to further deepen the political crisis. Even though he initially refused such an option, VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski, encouraged by the unsuccessful referendum, started pushing for early elections, stating that the Prespa agreement is politically dead. In such an atmosphere the Assembly session started on Monday, October 15th. During the parliamentary debate, the SDSM-led coalition, with the help of the international community, was supposed to convince the opposition MPs to support the Prespa agreement. And the first push in that direction came the very next day. US Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell sent a letter to Mickoski, stating the United States’ disappointment with VMRO-DPMNE’s current position. “We urge you to create space, publicly and privately, for members of parliament from your coalition to decide how they will vote on constitutional changes, free from threats of violence, retribution, or other forms of coercion”, read the open letter, adding that despite claims that there could be a “better deal” with Greece, the US “do not believe that to be the case”. Another critical push towards securing the 2/3 majority was Zaev’s speech at the start of the Assembly’s plenary session. Zaev mentioned that now was the moment for reconciliation regarding last year’s storming of the parliament. “I send a message of forgiveness and reconciliation regarding April 27th and the events that happened”, Zaev said. Although he did not use the word “amnesty”, everybody read exactly that between the lines, especially as VMRO-DPMNE MPs are among the suspects on trial on terrorism charges.

The vote

On Friday, October 19th, the plenary session lasted the whole day. The actual vote was expected to happen after Monday, October 22nd, following the visit of Matthew Palmer, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, despite speculations that the majority had been secured and the vote would happen later that day. At 10 pm, instead, MPs were called to vote on the government’s proposal to amend the constitution. Exactly 80 MPs voted yes, including eight from the VMRO-DPMNE coalition. During the electronic vote, the opposition MPs moved to the end of the Assembly, leaving only those eight to be seated in the designated space for the opposition. After this, following the request from the VMRO-DPMNE coordinator, another public vote followed. Again, the same eight MPs voted yes. Explaining their reasons, they issued a joint statement conditioning their further support with four demands. Three conditions focus on further guarantees for the Macedonian identity, and the fourth should guarantee that, if Greece continues blocking the country’s EU and NATO accession, the name deal will become null.

What next?

With Friday’s vote, the first part of the final stage of the procedure is completed. According to the Assembly’s rules of procedure, the initiator – in this case the government – should now submit the draft text of the constitutional amendments along with an explanation to the President of the Assembly, who shall distribute it to the members of the assembly and the President of the Republic. The assembly shall vote on each amendment proposal separately by a majority of 61 out of 120 MPs. Then, the final voting will follow, and 80 out of 120 MPs should adopt the amendments to the constitution. According to the most optimistic projections, this could happen by the middle of January 2019 if everything runs smoothly. This will be the final stage of the Macedonian side of the Prespa agreement. Then, the agreement will be sent to Athens for ratification. March 2019 is a sort of informal deadline for the full implementation of the agreement, the hurry being tied to the general elections scheduled for the second part of 2019, as the Greek opposition firmly opposes the agreement and if it wins the elections – which it most probably will – the agreement will be again in a deadlock.

The aftermath

Following Friday’s vote, VMRO-DPMNE expelled the seven 7 o 8? MPs that voted yes. One of them, Nola Ismajloska-Starova, said in a statement for the local media that she does not regret voting yes, adding that she wanted to use the positive momentum and advance the country’s perspectives. “My action was solely motivated by the idea to advance the prosperity of Macedonia”, Ismajloska-Starova said. The vote was followed by online threats, bulling, and inflammatory language against those MPs that voted for the constitutional amendments. Following this, as media informed, 24/7 security was assigned not only to the families of VMRO-DPMNE MPs that voted yes, but also to some from the ruling coalition. Yet, the main dilemma following Friday’s vote is: did the end justify the means? Zoran Zaev and the government insisted that no bargains were being made behind the curtains, and that his speech for reconciliation and forgiveness was wrongfully interpreted as an offer of amnesty for those VMRO-DPMNE MPs that are under trial. Fact is, three out of those eight – Krsto Mukoski, Ljuben Arnaudov, and Sasho Vasilevski – are facing terrorism charges for storming the Assembly and were released from home custody right after Zaev’s speech on reconciliation and forgiveness. Former Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kancheska-Milevska is also under investigation from the Special prosecution for alleged wrongdoings during her tenure. Vladanka Avirovikj’s son, opposition MP from the Socialist Party, has been sentenced to three years in prison. Only Emilija Aleksandrova and Nola Ismajloska-Starova are under no possible legal sanctions. It is more than obvious that bargains went on behind closed doors for days, until the 2/3 majority was secured. Some media even speculated that money was offered. Some would say that this is a small price to pay for a bright future, others will add that this is just another precedent. Regardless of speculations, the next developments will give a clear answer. Were Euro-Atlantic perspectives secured with bargains or did VMRO-DPMNE MPs truly change their mind regarding (North) Macedonia’s best interest?