Skopje, 14 May 2024 (MIA) - Former President Stevo Pendarovski has renounced his right to state pension, deciding instead to resume his academic career.

“As a former president, Pendarovski won’t use the state pension which he is guaranteed by law, because he has already returned to his academic career as a professor at the University American College Skopje,” Pendarovski's team told MIA.

Representatives of the Interior Ministry will continue to protect the former president in line with the security assessments.

Pendarovski will also make use of an office with three people who were employed in his presidential office.

“Regarding the administrative and logistical support necessary for his meetings with former and current statesmen, as well as participation in international conferences, President Pendarovski requested the right to occasionally use an office, however, since such a practice and legal basis doesn’t exist, in the future, Pendarovski will make use of the right to open an office, where three of the current employees at the [President’s] Office will be working to support the activities of the former president,” members of Pendarovski's team said in a statement for MIA. 

The law provides Pendarovski with the right to a pension equal to the wage received by the country's president; office space with at most three professional employees; personal security; as well as the right to use an official vehicle and a driver in line with the provisions adopted by the Interior Minister.

Former presidents Branko Crvenkovski and Gjorge Ivanov are making use of the rights that the law provides to former presidents.

Photo: MIA Archive