site.btaPendarovski: Constitutional Amendments Will Not Be Adopted by End of October

The amendments to North Macedonia’s Constitution will not be adopted by October 29 when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be visiting the country, said Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski.

"I am a well-informed realist. Support is by eight votes short for a two thirds majority, and they cannot fall from the sky. I do not see any indication. All MPs from VMRO-DPMNE have signed declarations, certified by a notary, that they will not vote for the changes to the Constitution although these declarations do not have a legal weight and this is just a PR stunt,” said Pendarovski in an interview for TV 21. 

Describing the negotiation framework with the EU as “a Bulgarian dictate” is an insult to all and first of all for France. All EU member countries voted for it, including Bulgaria, and you can’t say that Bulgaria is so powerful to convince Germany and France about this Bulgarian dictate. They say that when they come to power, they will secure a two- thirds majority to vote the changes to the Constitution,” said Pendarovski. 

According to him, if the constitutional amendments are not voted through, it is possible that North Macedonia and Albania are separated on their way to the EU. 
"What scares me is the fact that we can’t achieve a national consensus on key issues. We can argue about everything, but NATO and the EU are strategic interests of the country", said Pendarovski. 

Asked about whether the parliamentary and presidential elections should be held separately or together, Pendarovski said that it is up to Parliament and that a political agreement is needed to set the dates. 
"For me it is important to hear what the citizens think about these four years, then I will talk with parties for support,” said Pendarovski, taking a question whether he will seek re-election.