Skopje, 28 March 2024 (MIA) – At a media briefing Thursday, Parliament Speaker Jovan Mitreski said he has to schedule the inaugural session for the country’s new president by May 12, after the presidential and parliamentary elections on April 24 and May 8.

The new parliamentary composition will have to constitute by May 28 at the latest, according to the updated Rules of Procedure. The constitutive session will last a maximum of three days, and should be scheduled by the current Speaker of the Parliament, Jovan Mitreski. If he fails to do so, 21 days after the elections the session will be scheduled and chaired by the oldest MP until the election of a new Speaker. The Speaker of the new parliamentary composition, according to the deadlines, is expected to be elected by June 1 at the latest.

The final plenary session of the current Parliament is expected to begin Thursday and conclude by Friday. Mitreski stressed that the session’s agenda includes a draft-Declaration on North Macedonia's 4th NATO membership anniversary and the Alliance's 75th anniversary. He stressed the significance of adopting the Declaration at the very end of the current composition’s term in order to leave a message to future MPs.

The Speaker of Parliament said he doesn’t intend to schedule any sessions during the election campaign, noting that all other activities of Parliament will be reduced to the necessary minimum in order to prevent potential abuses through parliamentary speeches. He stressed that since the coming parliamentary elections are regular elections, in line with the Constitution, Parliament will not be dissolved and will remain in session.

During the term of the current composition of Parliament (2020-2024) a total of 149 sessions were scheduled, 102 of them were concluded, while 46 remain unfinished. The MPs adopted 548 laws, with the addition of other acts, decision and reports this figure rises to 832. They are yet to adopt 130 acts which are in procedure and unfinished.

During Mitreski’s term as Speaker, which began on January 26, 2024, Parliament adopted 72 laws and decisions.

Photo: Parliament