Skopje, 27 February 2024 (MIA) — The SDSM parliamentary group will vote in favor of ethnic Albanian party bloc-supported Abdush Demiri's joining the State Election Commission, SDSM MP Martin Kostovski told a press conference Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's parliamentary vote on electing a new member of the SEC.

"Yes, SDSM MPs will do anything aimed at having a quality, democratic election process, and this implies completing the SEC," Kostovski said.

"The ratio will be legally observed: four representatives from the ruling party and three from the opposition," he said. 

"As a NATO member state, as a country that has opened negotiations with the EU, we are doing everything that is in our interest to prove to ourselves and to the international public that we are ready to organize quality and fair elections," he said.

In response to a reporter's question whether SDSM MPs would support the changes to the Law on Travel Documents proposed by VMRO-DPMNE, Kostovski said: "SDSM MPs will not support anything that opposes national and international agreements."

He added that the bill was in conflict with the Prespa Agreement and violated Article 118 of the Constitution.

Regarding DUI's request that the country's President be elected in Parliament, Kostovski reiterated his party's position that the head of state should be elected through a public vote.

"SDSM is always for differences, but we never respect or defend ultimatums," he said. "SDSM's position is consistent. The President of the state has to be elected by citizens, in direct democratic elections." mr/