Skopje, 30 May 2023 (MIA) - A minimum of four-and-a-half months is required from the moment of receiving the initiative for constitutional amendments to their adoption in Parliament. The process can begin even if consensus is not reached, using the 30 days leading to the first vote for this, Speaker Talat Xhaferi told a press briefing on Tuesday.

"In procedural terms, there is no obstacle to start the process and resume the talks for political consensus. It is not mission impossible considering these deadlines," said Speaker Xhaferi.

He said no procedure can go through the Parliament without a consensus.

"In this case, the interests of the majority are surpassed, this is in the interest of the state and the citizens. The country has worked hard for 30 years to achieve the two strategic objectives it has set since its independence, and this is the opportunity," said Xhaferi.

Speaking from experience, he added, the delay of the NATO accession back in 2008 cost us a decade, and I am not sure that we got a better solution than the one 15 years ago.

"Taking into account this experience, every delay and a possible solution would be even more difficult, especially considering the fact that is no room for further negotiations. This is clear and we must say this. As politicians, we must take responsibility for the sake of future generations," said Xhaferi.

According to him, the procedure would stop if the first vote does not receive a two-thirds majority, adding that the country's leadership has not discussed what would happen in the case of failure to adopt the constitutional amendments.

Once the initiative arrives in the Parliament, 30 days are needed to review it, followed by a plenary session.

"The decision to start the process of constitutional revision requires a two-thirds majority, i.e. 80 out of 120 MP votes. A Badinter majority is also required, namely 21 out of 40 lawmakers of smaller ethnic communities," said Xhaferi.

After the adoption of the initiative, it goes back to the Government, which then submits the text of the draft-constitutional amendments with an elaboration. Upon their endorsement by at least 61 MPs, a public debate follows. The next step is the Government submitting draft-amendments to the Parliament, first debated by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and then at a plenary session. The draft-amendments require a two-thirds majority.

Photo: Parliament of North Macedonia