Constitutional Court: Valandovo mine referendum unconstitutional

The Constitutional Court annulled Wednesday the decisions for scheduling a referendum over the construction of Kazandol mine by the Valandovo municipality on 3 July and 10 July 2017.

According to the court, the referendum decisions are unconstitutional and illegitimate because the concession issue is not of local significance and therefore the local authorities cannot schedule a referendum.

Former Valandovo mayor Nikolce Curlinovski filed the motion over the decision’s constitutionality.

Back in July of last year, Curlinovski banned the referendum initiated by “Spas za Valandovo”. After months of wrangling, the referendum was held on August 20 but was unsuccessful because of low turnout.

The Constitutional Court has also initiated proceedings for assessment of the constitutionality and legality of the referendum decision by the Dojran town council over the opening of mines on the territory of the municipality.