CDU/CSU: Opposition must not block Macedonia’s NATO and EU perspective

With over 91 percent of the votes in favor, voters in Macedonia gave overwhelming support to the European path and to greater perspective of their country in the EU and NATO, deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, Johann David Wadephul, said.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling German CDU/CSU group believes that the opposition must not block Macedonia’s NATO and EU perspective, warning that the failure of the name deal will isolate the country for a long time.

“In Sunday’s referendum in Macedonia, more than 91 percent of voters voted in favor of changing the name of the country in “North Macedonia” and, at the same time, for further perspective of their country in the NATO and EU. However, the required quorum of 50 percent turnout was not achieved. Therefore, the vote in parliament will be decisive,” Wadephul said.

The CDU/CSU parliamentary group regrets that only about 37 percent of eligible voters participated in the referendum on the name change and thus the required quorum was not reached.

However, the referendum is not binding. It is crucial that the necessary 2/3 majority for the constitutional amendment and the name change is achieved in the necessary vote in parliament, Wadephul said.

The CDU/CSU parliamentary group urges the Macedonian opposition to agree to historically important vote in the parliament on constitutional amendments, otherwise, it would be politically responsible for blocking this path for Macedonia in the long run and thus isolating the country from Europe. And will reflect on possibility of launching EU accession negotiations.