Law on languages paralyzes Parliament: Secret negotiations rather than public discussion of the amendments

Parliament’s paralysis continues due to the tens of thousands of amendments submitted by VMRO-DPMNE to the law on the use of languages ​​in the third reading. The deadlines for the start of the debate on this item, which is part of the precautionary agreement between SDSM and DUI, have expired some time ago, while in the next few days, Speaker Talat Xhaferi is expecting to find a solution to nearly 36,000 opposition interventions.
According to Xhaferi, an amendment debate on the Law, which President Gjorge Ivanov vetoed, is not a solution. Instead, the Speaker says he is in coordination with parliamentary groups, including VMRO-DPMNE, in order to find an alternative solution.
– I communicate with representatives of the parliamentary groups, including VMRO-DPMNE. I think that we are close to a solution – Xhaferi said at yesterday’s meeting with the journalists.
According to Xhaferi, this issue was discussed with the representatives of the European Parliament. It was jointly concluded that one should not be allowed to block the Assembly.
“I do not want to speculate with dates in advance. It is working on a solution not to block the Assembly. I do not think the amendment debate is a solution. That means a blockade of Parliament,” Xhaferi said.
Although VMRO-DPMNE has been boycotting Parliament for several months, and announced that it will only “incidentally” return to the hall, when the law on languages debate starts, Xhaferi said he wishes and expects the return of the opposition quickly.
“Everyone works in that direction. The initial decision on absence from the Assembly is due to solidarity with other lawmakers due to detention decisions. This situation is slowly moving towards the end, so that, as Xhaferi said, it is expected that in the short term this foundation will completely cease, “Xhaferi said.
He also expects the working groups, which include only SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE, to soon align the reform laws that require a two-thirds majority. The dialogue between the MPs should continue within the Jean Monnet process, which was discussed by the MEPs who were in Skopje at the beginning of this week, and at the meeting with them there were MPs of VMRO-DPMNE. The first meeting, “Jean Monnet”, as an initiative which was to start from Paris, will take place in the country from March 15 to March 17. However, in agreement with the MEPs, room was left to postpone this meeting for May. It all depends on whether and when the presence of high-level representatives from the European Commission is ensured. The idea is also to attend the meeting of EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, and for that reason the term has not been finally determined. According to the agreement, Xhaferi stressed, the coordinators will be able to propose additional topics for discussion, in addition to the already agreed – Rules of Procedure, Code of Ethics, conclusions from Wilton Park.

(A.M.M.)

The MP traveling expenses wait for the law on languages

The reduction of travel expenses for MPs, for which the parliamentary group of SDSM proposed amending two laws, is also stagnated due to the law on languages.
The last continuation of the 32nd plenary session was held on January 30th, although, according to the Law on Parliament, the debate on the law on languages ​​in the third reading was due to begin on January 11th, ie 30 days after its adoption, before the head of state vetoed it.
On the agenda of this session, in addition to the law on languages, there are also amendments to the laws on MPs and salary and other allowances of elected and appointed officials, with which SDSM proposes to reduce travel expenses for MPs to a maximum of 20 percent, instead of the current 30 percent per liter of fuel for each kilometer. This proposal was submitted to the Parliament after the big public reactions to the fees of the MPs from the region for traveling to Skopje.
Within the 32nd session, MPs should discuss fifteen other laws, including the one of mineral resources, but they are all stumped due to the amendment obstruction of the law on languages, which is the eighth item on the agenda or the first to be considered.

Parliament covered by the Government

Speaker Talat Xhaferi complained yesterday that parliament is completely dependent on the government, which determines the parliamentary budget, and the minister of finance can cut part of the funds. According to Xhaferi, the legislature should have its own budget, and not depend on the executive.
Problem, as Xhaferi said, is the manner in which the security of the Parliament is regulated. Internal security is under the control of the Ministry of Interior.
“There are practical situations when someone from ‘upstairs’ takes the right to give orders to the security of the Assembly. This is unacceptable. The Parliament should have full supervision of the security, so as not to occur in future situations as December 24, 2012 and April 27, 2017, “Xhaferi said.
On the impression that the Parliament is not efficient, Xhaferi stressed that during this period, the plan is in place, in order for parliament to be efficient, but also to have some savings. He stressed that if MPs are in the plenary hall every day does not necessarily mean that they are efficient, pointing out that one plenary session costs 30 thousand euros.