Legislative Branch Reform: Ohrid Agreement
Implementations
Legislative Branch Reform – 2001
Constitutional amendments of 16 November, 2001 made the Albanian language an official language as Albanians form more than 20% of the total population of Macedonia. However, there were limitations in the use of language in the assembly procedures. “Albanian deputies can speak in their language in plenary sessions and working bodies of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia.”[fn]Svetomir Skaric, “Ohrid Agreement and Minority Communities in Macedonia,” accessed March 4, 2011, http://www.fes.org.mk/pdf/SVETOMIR%20SKARIC%20-%20OHRID%20AGREEMENT%20AN…
Legislative Branch Reform – 2002
Albanian language was allowed in the assembly procedures through constitutional amendments in 2001, which has been in place without interruption since then.
Legislative Branch Reform – 2003
No developments observed this year.
Legislative Branch Reform – 2004
No developments observed this year.
Legislative Branch Reform – 2005
No developments observed this year.
Legislative Branch Reform – 2006
The largest Albanian party Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) which emerged from the National Liberation Army (Ushtria Clirimtare Kombetare, UCK) was not included in government despite being the largest Albanian party. While this did not violate the Ohrid Framework Agreement, the government lacked the double majority in parliament and there have been efforts by the government to circumvent the double majority requirement. In addition there has been a boycott of the Albanian party, followed by a specific agreement between Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (Vnatrešna makedonska revolucionerna organizacija, VMRO) and DUI.
Legislative Branch Reform – 2007
No developments observed this year.
Legislative Branch Reform – 2008
The largest Albanian party Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) which emerged from the National Liberation Army (Ushtria Clirimtare Kombetare, UCK) joined the governing coalition in 2008.
Legislative Branch Reform – 2009
No further developments observed.
Legislative Branch Reform – 2010
No further developments observed.