Upcoming Elections in Macedonia
On the 5th of July the people of Macedonia can go to the voting booth to choose their new parliament. In total there will 120 members elected in six constituencies, each representing 20 seats. But these elections will not only be important for what will happen inside the country. It The European Union and NATO will closely watch the process and see if there is a future for Macedonia in both institutions.
To increase the chances for membership, the parliament implemented a criminal code days before campaigning started. The code increased penalties for election irregularities. Up to three years of prison can be sentenced for minor offences, which before would only get a financially penalty. “[The] elections will be a first, crucial test of the new election rules which we were glad to see adopted by all the political parties” said NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer last month.
Last December the European Union granted Macedonia candidature. The upcoming elections will be an important check if the country is ready for entering the negations. “The key point in the voting process is to stick to regulations on the day of the elections in a way so that they are conducted in accordance with European standards”, said the European Union Ambassador in Macedonia, Erwan Fouéré in an interview last December. If the country fails the test, the EU might postpone the accession negotiations.
Although the new code, pressure from the EU and NATO might affect the political leaders to held fair elections, their influence on the ground is questioned.”Even if we assume political leaders are honest in their intention… it is uncertain whether the local activists will seriously understand this”, one observer told Focus English News. And recent incidents confirm this. The Robert Schuman Foundation write in their European Elections Monitor about grenade explosions, destruction of buildings and violence against political adversaries.
If the elections will be held under the rules of the OSCE will be reported next week after the elections. But in the mean time I will keep on reporting all about it to you the coming week. Sunday I will leave for Macedonia and be an observer myself.
