The first big news in 2019: Greece said YES!
Or, as Plusinfo wrote “Greece said ne!” (which in Macedonian means YES). With 153 votes “for”, the Greek Parliament ratified the Prespa Agreement. In a roll-call vote, all 300 MPs responded with “yes”, “no” or “abstained” in regards to the draft law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece on the ratification and entering into force of the Prespa Agreement.
Prime Ministers’ messages of congratulations
Following the ratification of the Prespa Agreement in the Greek Parliament, Prime Ministers Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras also exchanged messages of congratulations on the social networks.
“Congratulations my friend. Together with our peoples we reached a historical victory. Long live the Prespa Agreement. For eternal peace and progress of the Balkans and in Europe” wrote Zaev in a message to Tsipras.
After the voting in the Greek Parliament, Tsipras wrote on his Facebook profile: “The next generations owe thanks to the MPs who with courage and boldness set the foundations for a future of peace, solidarity and harmonious coexistence between the two peoples. North Macedonia that was born today will be a friend, an ally and supporter of Greece in its efforts for security, stability and mutual development in the region”.
Elections
The elections for a president, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, should be announced 60 days before the term of the previous president of state expires. Ivanov’s second infamous five-year term expires on May 12. According to the announcements of the President of the Parliament, Talat Xhaferi, the presidential elections will be announced on February 8. The first round will be held on April 12, and the second on May 5.
The procedures for election of party candidates is yet to start. Tonight at the session of the Central Board scheduled for 7.00 pm, SDSM is to start the procedure, and according to recent information the party will be deciding between Radmila Sekerinska, Oliver Spasovski, Stevo Pendarovski and Nikola Dimitrov, as more neutral solutions who, according to the surveys ordered by the party, have had the best results.
As to VMRO-DPMNE, so far two candidates who have applied for presidential candidates. One is MP Vlatko Gjorcev, and the other is a party member who is unknown to the wider public. The deadline for applying expires on January 31.
The new guise of VMRO-DPMNE
Today in the public an announcement came out of the new, so-called, patriotic wing of VMRO-DPMNE that is composed of members who are dissatisfied with the passive policy of the current party leadership.
They consider that also part of the government is not satisfied with such a solution, that even the direct actors of the agreement are not pleased with this, because it is clear to them that this means also an end to their political careers. For example, Zoran Zaev, say some of the opposition members who want to remain anonymous.
#Perspectives2019
CIVIL Media has continued with the publication of a series of interviews and texts with which it recapitulates the political and social reality of the year that has passed, and is trying, through conversations with selected experts and public figures to reveal the perspectives for 2019.
Before the public is now the new series “Perspectives 2019”, in which for now you can look at the views of Rozeta Trajan, Мirjana Maleska, Меrsiha Smailovik, Мirjana Najcevska, Husein Ademi, Маrta Gusar, Faton Aliti, Sashko Poposki, Saso Ordanoski, Аrianit Xhaferi, Аkif Kariman, Ognen Janeski, Коco Andonovski, Мladen Cadikovski, Маrjan Risteski, and Uranija Pirovska.
Reforms of the security services
With a series of texts and interviews, CIVIL’s media platform will contribute by shedding light on the current processes, and will bring the essence of the reform efforts closer to the citizens, at whose service should be the security services, announced CIVIL’s team for communication.
In the media contents that will follow in the following days, we will speak openly and directly also about important aspects of the security of the country, including the dangers of violent extremism, radicalization and terrorism.
As always, CIVIL is open for communication with the citizens, about their questions, suggestions and information.
B. Jordanovska