Skopje, 24 September 2024 (MIA) - With 83 votes in favor and 17 against, Parliament adopted Tuesday amendments to the Law on Local Self-Government in an expedited procedure. The amendments will allow acting mayors to remain in office until the next regular local elections in October 2025.  

After the parliamentary elections in the country and the election of new MPs and ministers, three municipalities – Aerodrom, Gostivar, and Saraj – have acting mayors.

The amendments to the Law were adopted with a two-third majority, including the support of the DUI-led European Front. They were put forward by VMRO-DPMNE whip Nikola Micevski, and MPs Halil Snopçe from Worth It and Boban Karapejovski from ZNAM. 

European Front's Blerim Bexheti said they support the amendments in order to avoid making the citizens vote twice, considering there is so little time until the regular local elections, and to avoid spending additional funds.

Micevski said the amendments would ensure that no elections for a new mayor are held if there are less than 12 months until the next regular local elections. He noted that this is a transitional solution that will only be valid until the next local elections in October 2025. 

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