The North Macedonian parliament has rejected an initiative by the opposition VMRO DPMNE party to hold a referendum on the annulment of a friendship treaty signed earlier with Bulgaria. According to the majority in power, the constitution does not allow international treaties to be amended. The opposition believes that the government is simply afraid to listen to the people.

The majority in power says the constitution does not allow for a referendum

The largest opposition party in North Macedonia decided to put a treaty signed earlier with the Bulgaria to a referendum because they believe it was the basis for Sofia’s later demands. As reported by V4NA, the treaty was meant to settle relations between the two countries, yet for years after its signing Bulgaria blocked North Macedonian’s path towards the European Union, vetoing, for example, the start of accession negotiations. A referendum is the best and most democratic way for the people to express their opinion, VMRO Vice President Aleksandar Nikoloski told our news agency responding to a question about the reasons of the initiative.

Photo: Facebook

“These Bulgarian demands date back to 2017, when the then Macedonian and Bulgarian prime ministers concluded the treaty of friendship and good relations. Unfortunately, that treaty did not bring friendship, good relations or cooperation, but a permanent veto to prevent North Macedonia from joining the EU. This is why we think that the people should be granted the opportunity to express their opinion about the treaty. We think it is catastrophic, and the source of all North Macedonia’s problems,” Mr Nikoloski told V4NA.

This initiative has now been blocked by the majority in power. Talat Dzaferi, the speaker of the North Macedonian parliament, said he believes that the country’s constitution does not allow international treaties to be amended. He stressed that respect for the generally accepted norms of international law is a fundamental value of the North Macedonian Constitution.

Photo: V4NA

Opposition says the government is afraid to hear the voice of the people

However, the VMRO DPMNE party says it is not true that a referendum cannot be held on such issues.

„The government is afraid to face the will of the people and Talat Dzaferi, the speaker of parliament, has illegally assigned himself the role of a constitutional judge,” opposition politician Dalfina Stojanovska said, responding to the rejection of the referendum initiative.

The refusal to hold the referendum has reignited the domestic political situation in North Macedonia. The VMRO DPMNE announced that it will examine all legal options on how to deal with the issue in the coming days. The party might obstruct the work of the House of Representatives or prepare a new petition to hold the referendum, they said.

Brussels does not want to hear the voice of the people either

The European Union does not support holding a referendum on the treaty with Bulgaria, EU Ambassador to North Macedonia David Geer said.

Photo: Twitter

„Indeed, any initiative that could represent a step backwards and thus hinder the country’s path towards EU accession should be avoided,” the ambassador said.

North Macedonia signed a treaty of friendship and good relations with Bulgaria in 2017 and the parliament ratified it a year later. The agreement states that both parties can terminate the contract and cancel it. In this case, the other party must be notified in writing.