Parliamentary procedure on changes to the Electoral Code was halted due to over 13,500 amendments, leaving uncertainty about whether new rules will apply in the next elections.
The ruling majority, supported by DUI, proposed the changes, but opposition parties SDSM and Levica strongly objected, especially to electronic voting for the diaspora. Committee chair Ljupcho Prendzov said the session was suspended because many amendments needed to be archived and translated.
SDSM coordinator Oliver Spasovski stated they had submitted 10,000 amendments, while Levica’s Borislav Krmov reported 3,300–3,500.
VMRO-DPMNE coordinator Nikola Micevski explained that talks failed over diaspora voting, noting that although his party accepted DUI and Levica’s remarks, SDSM refused to compromise. He added that he expected a blockade, meaning the current Code might remain.
PM Hristijan Mickoski urged parties to propose amendments on rounding and complaints, promising to accept them if others were withdrawn. He insisted the diaspora had the right to vote electronically. SDSM leader Venko Filipche rejected this, arguing the method was neither European nor democratic and opened space for abuse.
Levica declared that DPMNE deliberately proposed conditions without consensus to preserve the status quo and limit their fair access to campaign funds.
