Leaders’ meeting resumes today

Leaders of the four largest political parties – SDSM, DUI, VMRO-DPMNE and one of Besa’s wings – meet again early this morning in an attempt to iron out differences and reach an agreement regarding the coming referendum, namely, the date, the question, its character, appointment of the State Election Commission.

This is the third leaders’ meeting in a week, after the first two failed to produce an outcome. The Government is asking for support regarding the referendum, while the opposition is urging for adoption of the law on party financing, changes in the law on government related to the Przino agreement, and the Criminal Code related to the amnesty.

PM Zaev said last week that the referendum question could be ‘Are you in favor of EU and NATO membership by accepting the agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece?’, adding that the referendum would be a consultative one.

The decision is considered final if at least 50 percent of the total number of registered voters cast their vote at the referendum, Zaev said.

Considering that PM Zaev has to leave for Mostar where he and Greek PM Tsipras will be honored for their contribution to peace and cooperation, this meeting is expected to be short.