Macedonia’s biggest opposition party, the Social Democrats, along with thousands of supporters, began its battle for early general elections at a rally on Sunday evening in front of the government building in Skopje.
The party called for the parliament to be dissolved directly following the NATO summit scheduled for November. Elections before that date could harm the country’s chances to join the alliance and make progress in its EU bid if there is a breakthrough in the name talks with Greece, party representatives said.
"Regardless of the outcome of the NATO Summit, whether the negotiations with Greece are successful or not, our goal in November will be for the Assembly to disband so that we can get out and meet the citizens [at elections]," the head of the Social Democrats, Branko Crvenkovski, said at the rally.
Before some 30 thousand supporters gathered under the slogan” We Are For Winning Macedonia”, Crvenkovski accused the ruling centre-right VMRO DPMNE party of ruining the country’s prospects.
The SDSM meeting was held in front of the Governmnt building
The country's EU and NATO bids are blocked, the economy is shattered, citizens' rights have been set back and interethnic relations are deteriorating, Crvenkovski claimed. The opposition leader sent a message to Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski that he will be held accountable for allowing crime and robbery to infiltrate the state during his term.
Crvenkovski blamed the government for not doing enough to solve the name spat. He said that a more pragmatic approach rather than Gruevski’s “false patriotism” would do more to help untie the long standing problem.
“Faced with defeat and failure on all fronts, unable to achieve any results, Gruevski decided to play on a single card of dividing patriots from traitors,” the opposition leader said. "Gruevski and the VMRO-DPMNE persistently paint a false picture of themselves- that they are the only ones who defend the constitutional name. This is an absolute lie. No Macedonian wants to change the country's constitutional name.”
Crvenkovski condemned Greece for abusing its veto rights as a member of NATO and the EU to block Macedonia’s bids to join the same structures. He said this was an “unfair, undemocratic and non-European policy” towards Macedonia.
The opposition rally comes after many announcements that the party would increase its activity and was seen as a barometer of the party's current strength.
After his return to the party helm last year, Crvenkovski announced reforms to the political grouping, which has lost every consecutive general, presidential and local election in the country since 2006. He now promised that the party is reformed, internally stronger and more democratic, honest and open to the people.
Opposition sympathizers
Various other smaller opposition parties, some civil initiatives and representatives of farmers, sacked workers and others joined the meeting.
The Social Democrats and their coalition partners currently hold some 30 seats in the 120 seat parliament, while VMRO DPMNE has roughly double that number. Various opinion polls show that the party at the moment has considerably less popularity than VMRO DPMNE but Crvenkovski and his party colleagues said they are confident they will seal an election victory.
Showing posts with label Branko Crvenkovski. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Branko Crvenkovski. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunday, February 07, 2010
There is no logic early elections to be held in Macedonia: SDSM leader
According to the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) everything is possible, even early elections to be held in the spring, Alsat-M television informs. According to the leader of the party Branko Crvenkovski, the government of the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski generates an atmosphere of uncertainty and lack of vision on which path Macedonia should take as a country.
“We see lots of populist projects over which some analyzers assess early elections are prepared. However, I am convinced we all make mistakes-analyzers, intellectuals, media and the opposition because our logic is different from Gruevski’s. We cannot suppose what Gruevski is preparing. Macedonia has become a country in which everything is possible and impossible at the same time. There is no logic early elections to be held but they could be. Macedonia becomes a country of the uncertainty, without clear path,” Crvenkovski said further.
“We see lots of populist projects over which some analyzers assess early elections are prepared. However, I am convinced we all make mistakes-analyzers, intellectuals, media and the opposition because our logic is different from Gruevski’s. We cannot suppose what Gruevski is preparing. Macedonia has become a country in which everything is possible and impossible at the same time. There is no logic early elections to be held but they could be. Macedonia becomes a country of the uncertainty, without clear path,” Crvenkovski said further.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Macedonia President’s Popularity ‘Doubles’
The popularity of Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski has doubled in the past three months, an opinion poll by the local Institute for Democracy suggests.
In recent months Crvenkovski has announced his return as the head of the opposition Social Democrats and was increasingly present in public opposing the Government’s policy in the so-called “name” dispute with neighbouring Greece.
However, his ratings are still not enough to beat those of Macedonia’s Premier and ruling centre-right VMRO DPMNE party chief, Nikola Gruevski whose popularity has generally stayed high at 32 percent.
Next on the list is the head of the ruling ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, Ali Ahmeti who got 10.6 percent of votes. This is much higher than the leader of the ethnic Albanian opposition, Menduh Thaci from the Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA, who got only 1.4 percent in support.
The leader of the main opposition party, Radmila Sekerinska from the Social Democrats also scored low at 0.3 percent, research shows.
More than one third said they do not have confidence in either politician.
As for party ratings, VMRO DPMNE secured support from 28 percent of those surveyed; the Social Democrats got slightly less than 10 percent while the DUI got 9 percent. The DPA got less than 3 percent.
13 percent said they would not vote while around one third of the surveyed said they are not sure.
Regarding the ongoing Athens-Skopje name row which is now Macedonia’s sole obstacle in joining NATO and could yet stall the country’s European Union accession, only 13.2 percent of the surveyed said they expect a quick resolution. 54 percent of people said were pessimistic about a swift deal.
32.6 percent gave no answer to this question.
The survey was conducted via telephone based on a representative sample of the population, the Institute said.
Asked which politicians they trust the most, 9.5 percent of those polled chose Crvenkovski in August. This is double from June when he got less then 5 percent.
In recent months Crvenkovski has announced his return as the head of the opposition Social Democrats and was increasingly present in public opposing the Government’s policy in the so-called “name” dispute with neighbouring Greece.
However, his ratings are still not enough to beat those of Macedonia’s Premier and ruling centre-right VMRO DPMNE party chief, Nikola Gruevski whose popularity has generally stayed high at 32 percent.
Next on the list is the head of the ruling ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, Ali Ahmeti who got 10.6 percent of votes. This is much higher than the leader of the ethnic Albanian opposition, Menduh Thaci from the Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA, who got only 1.4 percent in support.
The leader of the main opposition party, Radmila Sekerinska from the Social Democrats also scored low at 0.3 percent, research shows.
More than one third said they do not have confidence in either politician.
As for party ratings, VMRO DPMNE secured support from 28 percent of those surveyed; the Social Democrats got slightly less than 10 percent while the DUI got 9 percent. The DPA got less than 3 percent.
13 percent said they would not vote while around one third of the surveyed said they are not sure.
Regarding the ongoing Athens-Skopje name row which is now Macedonia’s sole obstacle in joining NATO and could yet stall the country’s European Union accession, only 13.2 percent of the surveyed said they expect a quick resolution. 54 percent of people said were pessimistic about a swift deal.
32.6 percent gave no answer to this question.
The survey was conducted via telephone based on a representative sample of the population, the Institute said.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Skopje, Athens to hold fresh round of talks
UN mediator Matthew Nimetz will conduct a fresh round of talks with representatives of Macedonia and Greece about the name issue.
In the course of two-day talks in New York, mediator Nimetz is expected to put forward a new proposal on Macedonia's name. The representatives of the two countries will convey Nimetz's proposal to their governments.
On Tuesday, President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held a coordination meeting over the issue.
President Crvenkovski said on Wednesday that mediator Nimetz is likely to table a new concrete proposal.
"I am not sure, but it's quite possible that mediator Nimetz presents a concrete proposal for settlement of the name dispute. In such case, we will assess the proposal and adjust the stands," Crvenkovski said.
He added that during the meeting with PM Gruevski they didn't discuss the double-name formula.
"We did not discuss about the double-name formula and I believe that reactivation of the double name in late stage of Macedonian-Greek talks would not encourage the talks but it could hinder them. Any obstruction of talks will do disservice to Macedonia," Crvenkovski said.
In the course of two-day talks in New York, mediator Nimetz is expected to put forward a new proposal on Macedonia's name. The representatives of the two countries will convey Nimetz's proposal to their governments.
On Tuesday, President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held a coordination meeting over the issue.
President Crvenkovski said on Wednesday that mediator Nimetz is likely to table a new concrete proposal.
"I am not sure, but it's quite possible that mediator Nimetz presents a concrete proposal for settlement of the name dispute. In such case, we will assess the proposal and adjust the stands," Crvenkovski said.
He added that during the meeting with PM Gruevski they didn't discuss the double-name formula.
"We did not discuss about the double-name formula and I believe that reactivation of the double name in late stage of Macedonian-Greek talks would not encourage the talks but it could hinder them. Any obstruction of talks will do disservice to Macedonia," Crvenkovski said.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Branko Crvenovski doubts Macedonia to get a date for the negotiations with EU
If Macedonia doesn’t get e recommendation for a date to start the negotiations with EU in the EC audit report we can’t think that the report is positive, Macedonian President Branko Crvenovski said, Macedonian A1 television reports. “It is important for us that Macedonia will get a date for the negotiations, otherwise we can say that this had been an unsuccessful year, he pointed.
He doubted that there would be such recommendation.
He doubted that there would be such recommendation.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Macedonia's future is in NATO and EU
Macedonia has no alternative but to join NATO and the EU, for which it should unite internally and demonstrate political maturity, state capacity and unified vision of the long-term development.
Branko Crvenkovski, President of Macedonia and supreme commander of the armed forces said this in his speech at the central celebration of the Day of The Army, held Monday in Skopje.
The central celebration was also attended by army leaders, Government and Parliament representatives, the first president of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov and the diplomatic corps in the country.
In the special address, President Crvenkovski said he doubts Macedonia could develop inner democracy, inter-ethnic relations and implement high-quality reforms if it remains outside Euro-Atlantic integration process for extended period of time.
"It is clear that only stable Macedonia, with stable inter-ethnic relations and fully integrated into international organizations, can have economic progress and provide prosperity to all citizens", Crvenkovski said.
The Defense Minister Zoran Konjanovski said that Macedonia expects to finally receive the NATO invitation and become member soon.
"We expect Macedonia to enter NATO and participate at the celebration of the Alliance's 60th anniversary in 2009 as a full member", Konjanovski said.
Crvenkovski and Konjanovski sent a message that Macedonian Army remains a part of the international peace missions and has the intention to have strong morale and be respected.
Within the central manifestation on the occasion of the Day of the Army, a tribute with one-minute silence was paid to the 11 Macedonian peacekeepers that were killed in an accident while returning from the Althea mission in Bosnia.
A 12-gun artillery salvo was fired from the "Ilinden" barracks in honour of the Day of ARM.
Also, a General Staff delegation laid a wreath at the partizans' cemetery, at the tomb of late President Boris Trajkovski and at the tomb of General Mihajlo Apostolski.
Branko Crvenkovski, President of Macedonia and supreme commander of the armed forces said this in his speech at the central celebration of the Day of The Army, held Monday in Skopje.
The central celebration was also attended by army leaders, Government and Parliament representatives, the first president of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov and the diplomatic corps in the country.
In the special address, President Crvenkovski said he doubts Macedonia could develop inner democracy, inter-ethnic relations and implement high-quality reforms if it remains outside Euro-Atlantic integration process for extended period of time.
"It is clear that only stable Macedonia, with stable inter-ethnic relations and fully integrated into international organizations, can have economic progress and provide prosperity to all citizens", Crvenkovski said.
The Defense Minister Zoran Konjanovski said that Macedonia expects to finally receive the NATO invitation and become member soon.
"We expect Macedonia to enter NATO and participate at the celebration of the Alliance's 60th anniversary in 2009 as a full member", Konjanovski said.
Crvenkovski and Konjanovski sent a message that Macedonian Army remains a part of the international peace missions and has the intention to have strong morale and be respected.
Within the central manifestation on the occasion of the Day of the Army, a tribute with one-minute silence was paid to the 11 Macedonian peacekeepers that were killed in an accident while returning from the Althea mission in Bosnia.
A 12-gun artillery salvo was fired from the "Ilinden" barracks in honour of the Day of ARM.
Also, a General Staff delegation laid a wreath at the partizans' cemetery, at the tomb of late President Boris Trajkovski and at the tomb of General Mihajlo Apostolski.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Macedonian President Pardons Strumica Mayor, Opposition Back to Assembly
President Branko Crvenkovski signed decision to pardon Strumica Mayor Zoran Zaev and his five associates, suspected of misuse of official power regarding the construction of shopping mall "Global."
Cabinet [office] of President Branko Crvenkovski said in a press release that, after the consultations with the leaders of SDSM [Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia] and DPA [Democratic Party of Albanians - PDSh in Albanian] Radmila Sekerinska and Menduh Thaci, he was informed that two political parties accepted his proposal for surpassing the political crisis in the country. SDSM and DPA return in the Macedonian Parliament, in ZELS [Association of Self-Government Units], and establish normal cooperation with institutions in the country.
Also, President Crvenkovski passed decision for not signing the decrees proclaiming the Law on Use of Languages, Law on Lobbying, Law on changes and supplements to the Law on Labour Relations, Law on changes and supplements to the Law on Expropriation, Law on changes and supplements to the Law on Practice of Law, and Law on changes and supplements to the Law on Energy.
SDSM through announcement confirmed that it accepted the proposal of President Crvenkovski for return in the parliament and also accepted the decision to pardon Zaev.
VMRO-DPMNE [Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization- Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity] late Saturday [2 August] assessed the President Crvenkovski's decisions as coup d'etat against the institutions in the Republic of Macedonia.
VMRO-DPMNE considered that with this Crvenkovski maximally misused his position exclusively in the interest of the party it belongs. This is the first case in southeastern Europe of passing a decision to pardon persons suspected of crime.
Cabinet [office] of President Branko Crvenkovski said in a press release that, after the consultations with the leaders of SDSM [Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia] and DPA [Democratic Party of Albanians - PDSh in Albanian] Radmila Sekerinska and Menduh Thaci, he was informed that two political parties accepted his proposal for surpassing the political crisis in the country. SDSM and DPA return in the Macedonian Parliament, in ZELS [Association of Self-Government Units], and establish normal cooperation with institutions in the country.
Also, President Crvenkovski passed decision for not signing the decrees proclaiming the Law on Use of Languages, Law on Lobbying, Law on changes and supplements to the Law on Labour Relations, Law on changes and supplements to the Law on Expropriation, Law on changes and supplements to the Law on Practice of Law, and Law on changes and supplements to the Law on Energy.
SDSM through announcement confirmed that it accepted the proposal of President Crvenkovski for return in the parliament and also accepted the decision to pardon Zaev.
VMRO-DPMNE [Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization- Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity] late Saturday [2 August] assessed the President Crvenkovski's decisions as coup d'etat against the institutions in the Republic of Macedonia.
VMRO-DPMNE considered that with this Crvenkovski maximally misused his position exclusively in the interest of the party it belongs. This is the first case in southeastern Europe of passing a decision to pardon persons suspected of crime.
Macedonia Ministry of Justice: Decision to pardon Zoran Zaev is act against justice
Skopje. The decision of the head of state to pardon the Mayor of Strumica and the five suspected is a violent attack against the judiciary. This was announced by the Macedonian Ministry of Justice today in relation to the decision of the President of the country Branko Crvenkovski to pardon the Mayor Zoran Zaev and the other people suspected in relation to the Global trade center case in Strumica, the Macedonian agency Makfax reported.
Controversial solutions for return of opposition
Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski warned that the country won't receive date for membership negotiations with the European Union if the opposition does not return to the Parliament, for which he offered a solution.
In order the opposition to return to the Parliament, he offers to SDSM abolition of Strumica mayor Zoran Zaev and his associates, in relation to the "Global" case.
The President guarantees to DPA that he won't sign the decree on the Law on Languages Use and that there will be repeated Parliament procedure on this issue. Otherwise, the President said this Law is good.
To bring the opposition back to the Parliament, the President also said he won't sign the laws on lobbying, on labour relations, on expropriation and on law Bar, causing them to be returned to the Parliament.
In the October report, the European Commission won't give recommendation for starting the accession negotiations with the Union", Crvenkovski said, stating that the failure to meet the eight criteria set forth by the EU and election irregularities are the cause.
However, according to the President, the most serious problem is opposition's boycott of the Parliament and other state bodies.
"We are not receiving negotiation date from the EU with this defective Parliament, and halfway democracy", Crvenkovski said.
The President also said he will try to talk with SDSM and DPA presidents, Radmila Sekerinska and Menduh Thaci. He added that if the opposition does not stop the boycott, his proposals are pointless.
Crvenkovski also pointed out that, according to him, politics is involved in crime-fighting.
"I am convinced that the combat against crime and corruption... is used for political settlements with opponents of the government", the President said.
When asked by journalists about eventual election of the President by the Parliament, Crvenkovski replied: "I have no intention to resign before the end of my term".
In order the opposition to return to the Parliament, he offers to SDSM abolition of Strumica mayor Zoran Zaev and his associates, in relation to the "Global" case.
The President guarantees to DPA that he won't sign the decree on the Law on Languages Use and that there will be repeated Parliament procedure on this issue. Otherwise, the President said this Law is good.
To bring the opposition back to the Parliament, the President also said he won't sign the laws on lobbying, on labour relations, on expropriation and on law Bar, causing them to be returned to the Parliament.
In the October report, the European Commission won't give recommendation for starting the accession negotiations with the Union", Crvenkovski said, stating that the failure to meet the eight criteria set forth by the EU and election irregularities are the cause.
However, according to the President, the most serious problem is opposition's boycott of the Parliament and other state bodies.
"We are not receiving negotiation date from the EU with this defective Parliament, and halfway democracy", Crvenkovski said.
The President also said he will try to talk with SDSM and DPA presidents, Radmila Sekerinska and Menduh Thaci. He added that if the opposition does not stop the boycott, his proposals are pointless.
Crvenkovski also pointed out that, according to him, politics is involved in crime-fighting.
"I am convinced that the combat against crime and corruption... is used for political settlements with opponents of the government", the President said.
When asked by journalists about eventual election of the President by the Parliament, Crvenkovski replied: "I have no intention to resign before the end of my term".
Thursday, July 31, 2008
President Crvenkovski Greets Macedonian Citizens Ahead of National Holiday
President Branko Crvenkovski in a note congratulated the National Day of the Republic - August 2 to the citizens of Macedonia.
Allow me on the occasion of the greatest holiday, August 2 - National Day of the Republic, to convey my most sincere wishes to all the citizens of Macedonia and around the world, reads the note.
I use this solemn occasion, it says, to pay my respects for everything that has been done thus far for the Republic of Macedonia, for everything that has been created by past generations and left behind to present and future generations to walk on the same path, the path towards justice and truth, which are enshrined by this great holiday, Ilinden.
Furthermore, the president adds that equality is the key towards achieving stability in the Republic of Macedonia and a guarantee for its European prosperity. Therefore, we are bound together to resume with the promotion of peace, tolerance and cooperation of all citizens.
Lastly, congratulating this great holiday to all Macedonians, I vow adequate observation and celebration that is worthy for Macedonia and for all of us, he notes.
Allow me on the occasion of the greatest holiday, August 2 - National Day of the Republic, to convey my most sincere wishes to all the citizens of Macedonia and around the world, reads the note.
I use this solemn occasion, it says, to pay my respects for everything that has been done thus far for the Republic of Macedonia, for everything that has been created by past generations and left behind to present and future generations to walk on the same path, the path towards justice and truth, which are enshrined by this great holiday, Ilinden.
Furthermore, the president adds that equality is the key towards achieving stability in the Republic of Macedonia and a guarantee for its European prosperity. Therefore, we are bound together to resume with the promotion of peace, tolerance and cooperation of all citizens.
Lastly, congratulating this great holiday to all Macedonians, I vow adequate observation and celebration that is worthy for Macedonia and for all of us, he notes.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Macedonian president investigated by tax authorities
Macedonian tax authorities have initiated an investigation into the properties of president Branko Crvenkovski, Macedonian daily Dnevnik said on July 24 2008.
According to the paper, as of the beginning of July banks and other financial institutions, as well as the Macedonian finance ministry, were sent strictly confidential requests to provide data about any financial operations of the Crvenkovksi family over the past five years. Similar requests were sent to institutions in all former Yugoslav republics, as well as other Balkan countries.
The tax authorities neither confirmed, nor denied, the information about the requests, saying that these issues were confidential, Dnevnik said.
Crvenkovski's office was quoted by Dnevnik as saying that the president supported the fight against corruption and had nothing against the checks, as long as they were carried out in an objective and non-selective way. At the same time, however, it described them as "tendentious" and requested to be informed whether the prime minister and other cabinet ministers were subjected to the same checks, as proof that he was not being singled out.
Upon becoming prime minister in 2002, Crvenkovski declared a 61 sq m apartment in Skopje, a 1995 Volkswagen Polo worth 270 000 denars (4400 euro), as well as a stock portfolio worth 619 000 denars (10 100 euro) in his name and a further 35 700 denars (580 euro) in a current account in his wife's name.
The monthly salary of the Macedonian president is 73 600 denars (1200 euro), Dnevnik said, noting that upon taking up the presidential office in 2004, Crvenkovski did not fill in a new declaration, but he did tell the relevant state institutions that the old one was still valid.
According to Macedonian law, elected officials are required to declare any acquisitions of wealth or property, both concerning themselves and their first-degree relatives, that exceeds in value 20 average salaries for the preceding quarter, Dnevnik said.
According to the paper, as of the beginning of July banks and other financial institutions, as well as the Macedonian finance ministry, were sent strictly confidential requests to provide data about any financial operations of the Crvenkovksi family over the past five years. Similar requests were sent to institutions in all former Yugoslav republics, as well as other Balkan countries.
The tax authorities neither confirmed, nor denied, the information about the requests, saying that these issues were confidential, Dnevnik said.
Crvenkovski's office was quoted by Dnevnik as saying that the president supported the fight against corruption and had nothing against the checks, as long as they were carried out in an objective and non-selective way. At the same time, however, it described them as "tendentious" and requested to be informed whether the prime minister and other cabinet ministers were subjected to the same checks, as proof that he was not being singled out.
Upon becoming prime minister in 2002, Crvenkovski declared a 61 sq m apartment in Skopje, a 1995 Volkswagen Polo worth 270 000 denars (4400 euro), as well as a stock portfolio worth 619 000 denars (10 100 euro) in his name and a further 35 700 denars (580 euro) in a current account in his wife's name.
The monthly salary of the Macedonian president is 73 600 denars (1200 euro), Dnevnik said, noting that upon taking up the presidential office in 2004, Crvenkovski did not fill in a new declaration, but he did tell the relevant state institutions that the old one was still valid.
According to Macedonian law, elected officials are required to declare any acquisitions of wealth or property, both concerning themselves and their first-degree relatives, that exceeds in value 20 average salaries for the preceding quarter, Dnevnik said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)