Bitola, 23 December 2024 (MIA) - The main reason for a new Law on Local Self-Government is the ability to recall mayors which we believe would increase the transparency and accountability in the work of local self-governments and the second tool that we want to include in the legislation is the introduction of municipal police under the competence of the local self-governments, said Minister of Local Self-Government Zlatko Perinski on Monday.

At a consultative event in Bitola with the mayors from the Pelagonia and Southwestern region, Perinski stressed that the new legislation would modernize the current Law on Local Self-Government.

“This is a systemic law that requires a two-third majority in Parliament as well as a Badinter vote to be adopted. The main reason for it is the ability to recall mayors which we believe will improve the transparency and accountability in the work of local self-governments, and the second tool that we want to include in the legislation is the introduction of municipal police under the competence of the local self-governments,” said Minister Perinski. 

At the first consultative meeting with the mayors, other representatives of the local self-governments and the civil sector, the Minister noted that the proposals for amendments to the Law on Local Self-Government are being developed in a transparent, inclusive and public process that includes all relevant stakeholders.

“I believe that only through an open process like this will we be able to improve the quality of services delivered by the local self-governments to the citizens, and with that we will raise the level of the work of the local self-governments. This process has the unreserved support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Swiss Bank through the Embassy of Switzerland. I am convinced that with we will improve this systemic solution, and we will improve the conditions in which the local self-governments operate,” Perinski said.

Bitola Mayor Toni Konjanovski, who hosted the consultative meeting, voiced his support for the process for amendments to the Law on Local Self-Government.

Photo: MIA