Skopje, 4 November 2025 (MIA) - Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi told journalists Tuesday the 2026 draft budget would be on the agenda of a plenary session of Parliament scheduled for December 9, with the relevant petitioners being able to submit amendments until November 10.

At a media briefing Tuesday, Gashi said Parliament is expected to hold a Q&A session on November 11 or 18, during which MPs will be able to pose questions to representatives of the Government.

Regarding amendments to the Electoral Code, Gashi said all parliamentary whips agreed at a coordination meeting on Tuesday to sit down and discuss a consensual adoption of amendments.  

Quizzed about the repeat elections in four municipalities where the turnout threshold wasn’t reached and when they would be called, Gashi stressed the issue is still being discussed with the State Election Commission (SEC) due to certain ambiguities.

The Speaker noted that the term of the current composition of the SEC expires by January 15, 2026, and that discussions are underway with them to ensure all necessary steps are taken for the proper holding of elections in the four municipalities where the process must be repeated.

Regarding the adoption of the Law on Local Self-Government, Gashi emphasized that it depends on the will of the parliamentary groups, and once there is willingness, it will immediately be submitted to parliamentary procedure.

Gashi also noted that the announced resolution on the country’s red lines in the EU negotiations process by SDSM leader Venko Filipche has not yet been submitted to the Parliament.

Photo: MIA