FYROM referendum: 91.37 pct voted ‘YES’ – participation at 36.6 pct
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
After the conclusion of the referendum in FYROM, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev called on the deputies of VMRO-DPMNE to respect the people’s decision otherwise the country will go to elections.
“Now the will of those who voted ‘YES’ in the referendum should be turned into political action in the legislative body,” Zaev said.
Zaev also said that now the procedures for the country’s final accession to NATO and the EU should be accelerated.
With 97% of polling stations counted so far, a 91,37% voted in favour and 6% voted against.
A Greek Foreign Minsitry statement released on Sunday evening said that “ Greece is observing closely and with the necessary distance developments in the friendly country of FYROM,” adding that “ Greece remains committed to the Prespes Agreement” and calling for objectivity on all sides.
The referendum is consultative, political analyst in Skopje Petar Arsovski said in a statement to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA).
The nationalist party VMRO party has started a campaign over the last days to avert people from going to vote in order to increase the number of absentee percentage.
“The percentage must be 50%+1”, Professor of Philosophy in the University of Skopje Vanskova said to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. However, this is something that the government and the media elite are trying to persuade the public that is not true.
The referendum is clearly a reality show, she said adding that the crucial part is the parliament where the constitutional review should take place. “ I believe that the real thing begins on Monday,” she underlined.
“ Sunday is just a show for the international public, for the domestic public,” she explained and added: “ The opinion of the public is completely irrelevant because the referendum was called against the provisions of the Constitution. And the whole media campaign was illegal.”
Source: ANA-MPA