The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and the Norwegian Foreign Ministry today co-organized a roundtable discussion in Kumanovo on developing political dialogue, prior to the 5 July parliamentary elections in the country.
The Head of the Gender Unit of the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Tiina Ilsen is visiting Skopje today to talk with the OSCE Spillover Mission to Skopje and its various partners about the role of women in society and the multiple activities taking place in the country on gender issues.
The Institute for Sociological, Political and Juridical Research (ISPPI) and SUNA NGO organized a debate today in Skopje, discussing the topic of the Role of NGO Sector in the Electoral Process. The debate, organized under the "Regional Development of Civic Society Capacities in Serbia, Kosovo and Macedonia", aims to contribute to a more efficient promotion of democratic values.
The municipalities in Macedonia and the City of Skopje violate the electoral legislation, accused MOST Civic Association at the press conference held earlier today. The municipal authorities, accuses MOST, failed to publicly announce the spaces in which it would be allowed to put campaign posters and other promotional materials, without compensation.
If confirmed by the State Election Commission (SEC), 2,620 candidates will compete for the 120 Parliament seats at the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Macedonia is still unable to deal with corruption related to the electoral process. Almost 90 percent of the activities of political parties have been financed by anonymous supporters. No one knows where the money comes from - a debt each party repays after taking power. The fact that citizens accept this trend as normal is very dangerous, the attendants of a debate - Elections as Source of Corruption concluded Thursday.
The MOST Civic Association appealed today to all participants in the 2006 Parliamentary Elections to adhere to the legislation that regulates the electoral processes and to maintain the positive campaign climate.
Macedonia faced a period of coalition building on Thursday following a national election that sank the ruling coalition and went some way to assuaging European Union concerns over the country's democratic maturity.
Wednesday's parliamentary elections were an important test for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on its path to achieving its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. I commend the efforts undertaken by the country's authorities for the peaceful conduct of these elections and the considerable progress achieved since the last local elections took place in March 2005.
