UntitledPolitical Context
In August 2006, Macedonia marked five years since the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement that prevented the escalation of inter-ethnic conflict and set the country on a path toward political stability. In December 2005, Macedonia received European Union candidate status despite serious irregularities in municipal elections earlier that year. The July 2006 parliamentary elections were seen as a litmus test of the country’s democratic development and preparedness for Euro-Atlantic integration. The elections largely met international standards despite incidents of violence and fraud.
Macedonia’s prospects for EU and NATO membership will turn on continued progress in making political and governing institutions responsive to the public interest, incorporating all of the country’s ethnic groups into the political process, enabling greater civic participation in legislative affairs and, in turn, securing parliamentary oversight of the government.
The Prime Minister, opposition leader, and other leading politicians sign a code of conduct prior to parliamentary elections in 2006. The signing ceremony kicked off a public education campaign—“It Must Be Fair”—conducted by NDI in partnership with Civic Organization MOST and the Macedonian Women’s Lobby.
NDI in Macedonia
With funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and additional support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), NDI is working to support the development of a sustainable, cohesive and vibrant multi-cultural democracy in Macedonia. NDI has supported Macedonia’s democratic transition since 1993 through parliamentary development, election monitoring, and political party building. NDI is currently working to assist parliament and political parties to be more transparent and responsive to the needs of all citizens whatever their ethnic origin or gender.
Strengthening Parliamentary Capacity
NDI provides assistance to improve and strengthen parliamentary resources, committee functions, and the process of legislative review and outreach. Through an initial two-day orientation followed by subsequent monthly workshops, new members of parliament receive training on parliamentary roles and responsibilities, caucus and party relationships, and constituency outreach. NDI advises governing and opposition parties on how to develop strategies to establish legislative priorities. The Institute consults with parliamentary committees on public legislative hearings and other forums to engage civil society. NDI has completed the transfer of its parliamentary internship to the legislature. NDI assists FORUM, the Association of Former Parliamentary Interns, in its networking to ensure that this multi-ethnic group of experienced young people remains engaged in Macedonia’s democratic transition.
Strengthening Legislative/Political Participation of Women and Ethnic Minorities
Assisted by NDI, the Women’s Parliamentary Club successfully advocated for a change in the electoral law that improves gender balance among members of parliament. NDI continues to support the Club in advocating for its legislative priorities through consultancy, policy briefings and workshops. NDI is conducting regional, multi-party workshops for women political activists to develop their leadership skills.
"The support of NDI through this period has been crucial…Legislative change and training have come together to create electoral opportunities that will benefit all citizens.”
—Blagorodna Mingova Krepieva, former Chair of the Women’s Parliamentary Club
The Institute is helping Turkish, Roma, and Serb members of parliament develop coalition-building skills that bolster their communities’ respective representation in parliament.
Expanding Constituency Outreach
Since November 2003, NDI has assisted MPs in opening 45 constituency offices throughout the country, providing vital links between citizens and elected leaders. More than 60 MPs held regular office hours, organized public meetings, and maintained regular communication with constituents. The offices have received more than 120,000 visits from constituents who raised 9,720 cases on issues such as unemployment and public works projects, of which 4,589 have been resolved. NDI developed a casework tracking database used in the constituency offices to track individual cases and aggregate data.
Several thousand citizens toured the national assembly and met with their members of parliament in a public outreach initiative jointly organized by parliament and NDI.
To promote parliamentary transparency, NDI assisted the second annual “Assembly Days” event. Approximately 2,000 citizens from around the country, including students, participated in organized tours, issue forums, and an arts program.
Improving Political Party Policy and Organization
In preparation for the 2006 parliamentary elections, NDI held mainstream multi-party training seminars on policy and membership development and on political and electoral ethics. The Institute spearheaded the Code of Conduct for Free and Fair Elections, signed by 36 political parties and promoted through a widespread publicity campaign. The Code contributed to mitigating isolated violence in the pre-election period. NDI developed a Membership/Supporter Database for local party branches to improve internal management and increase internal communications. NDI has worked with the minority Turkish, Roma and Serbian parties on organizational management, policy development, public outreach, coalition-building and candidate selection. The Institute will concentrate future work on party ideology and internal democracy.
Contact Information
NDI also conducts programs in Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. For more information on NDI's Macedonia program, please contact:
Chris Henshaw in Skopje at 389-2-3131-177
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Ulrike Scholl-Dorn in Washington, D.C. at 202-728-5453
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