Skopje, 10 October 2023 (MIA) - The Parliamentary Committee on Rules of Procedure and Mandatory and Immunity Issues on Tuesday voted in favor of the need to adopt new parliamentary rulebook. Parliamentary groups launched talks on amendments to the Rules of Procedure five years ago within the Jean Monnet process with MEPs' mediation, which resulted in a consensus for a completely new solution. The new Rules of Procedure is expected to be adopted by the end of the year and come into effect after the next Parliament is formed.

Updates to the Rules of Procedure were proposed by Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi. Elaborating on the proposal, Xhaferi said the text was optimal, but not ideal. 

"We all agreed it is better to have a new text on the Parliament's Rules of Procedure. Those who participated in the Jean Monnet process know the draft. The goal is to overcome any differences or different interpretations of the rulebook. I believe and I am convinced that the updates will overcome all possibilities for different interpretation," said Xhaferi.  

The draft Rules of Procedure also received support from the opposition VMRO-DPMNE. The deputy coordinator of the parliamentary group of the opposition party, Dafina Stojanovska, pointed out that everyone agrees on the need for a new Rules of Procedure.

"We all agree about that, and a proposal has been submitted in regular procedure. We'll see whether this solution is good and how good it is once it comes into effect," said Stojanovska. 

She noted that the application of the new Rules of Procedure will also depend on the next Parliament Speaker.  

Levica's Dimitar Apasiev made several remarks, pointing to bilingualism which, according to him, was being legalized in the Parliament, as well as non-attendance of officials to the invitation of the Parliament, in terms of convening sessions, and legalizing the 'EU flag' in Parliament. Apasiev noted that filibustering would also be abolished, i.e. a limit will be placed on debates of the committees. In addition, he announced amendments to the parliamentary rulebook. 

The updated Rules of Procedure includes essential changes in the work of the Parliament in terms of parliamentary questions, parliamentary committees will also have a deadline for debates on certain laws, and changes will also be made regarding procedural remarks, among other.  

Photo: MIA