Gostivar, 14 October 2023 (MIA) – We should start thinking about a new Constitution if the constitutional amendments aren’t adopted and if we don’t become an EU member, said Alliance for Albanians leader and Gostivar Mayor Arben Taravari on Saturday.

“If the constitutional amendments aren’t adopted, I guarantee you that it will cause a collective depression in society. With that we will lose the last drops of hope to begin reforms and the chance for EU membership, to improve the conditions in the judiciary, fight crime and corruption. Then we will have to start thinking about a new Constitution,” stressed Taravari.

Taravari said there is a clear position of support for the constitutional amendments in the Albanian bloc and that he expects them to be adopted eventually.

According to the Alliance for Albanians leader, the potential change of constitution would be aimed at ensuring greater decentralization and fewer municipalities – “around thirty”, he said. 

“In this way, the local self-governments would be able to decide by themselves to appoint local officials, such as heads of municipal courts, prosecutions, chief of police, hospital directors,” said Taravari.

Taravari said he believes it is necessary to start a broader debate over a bicameral parliament as well.

“In Macedonia we still have several taboo topics which not only are we not talking about, but we also avoid thinking about them. I think that one chamber should consist of representatives of the local government, such as the mayors of around thirty more developed municipalities, while the second chamber would consist of representatives elected by the people, MPs. This is one option, maybe there are other solutions as well. We would have to discuss this publicly and determine what would be most functional for the development of the country, if we don’t begin EU negotiations,” stressed Taravari.

Photo: MIA