Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski refused to sign a Law that aims to legalize unlawfully built structures in Macedonia, citing the Law as unconstitutional and against the public interest.
In a letter Pendarovski informed Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferii that he can’t sign off on the Law, as it was in violation of zoning codes and goes against the basic values that have been enshrined in the Constitution.
Pendarovski wrote that the controversial Law doesn’t respect the legal norms by inflicting permanent damage to all efforts in developing a democratic state based on the rule of law and respect of the rights and freedoms of the people.
The letter specifies that the Law is against article 8, article 9 and article 51, article 41 and other articles in the Constitution, while it also doesn’t provide societal justification as it doesn’t protect the public’s interest.
SDSM, DUI and VMRO voted for it, along with most other MPs from the opposition, except for five abstainers and five who voted against.
“I plead with all of members of parliament, regardless of their political affiliation, as guided by the letter of the Constitution and by the public interest, to reconsider their decision before casting their vote regarding this Law,” concluded Pendarovski.
The President’s decision puts the Law back on the Parliament’s agenda for a second vote. If the MPs vote in favor, the Law will pass since the President’s veto is “advisory” and as such doesn’t have legal bearing on the final decision in Parliament
