The President of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, has called the adoption of the Law on the use of languages by the Assembly of Macedonia "unconstitutional, anti-state and instigator of inter-ethnic tensions". He announced his decision not to enact this law, approved under tension by the parliamentary majority.
"The law on the use of languages, in the way it was drafted, but also voted, will cause a complete blockade in the work of the institutions. In the conditions of the blockade of the institutions, the chances are high that the issue of redefining our constitutional order will also be opened", said Ivanov.
"The law on the use of languages is unfair, a repressive law that favors only one language. Such a law will cause tensions and pose a threat to inter-ethnic coexistence. As the President of the state, I will not allow this. Therefore, I will not sign the decree for the announcement of this approved law in this form", declared President Ivanov in a presentation addressed to the citizens of Macedonia.
He has directed serious accusations against the Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev and the parliamentary majority for, as he said, not respecting the guarantees given that they will respect the constitution and that they will not adopt anti-state laws, REL reports.
"This law is an expression of the tyranny of the parliamentary majority towards the majority of Macedonian citizens. The majority of citizens have never voted, nor would they vote for a political program that envisages such an unconstitutional, anti-state and harmful law. Such an unjust law does not deserve to be called a law", declared Ivanov.
But, based on article 75 of the constitution, the president of the state is obliged to decree the law, if the same is approved for the second time by the Assembly.
"The laws entered into force by decree. The decree for the entry into force of the laws is signed by the President of the Republic and the Speaker of the Assembly. The President of the Republic can decide not to decree the law for its entry into force. The Assembly votes on the law again and if it is approved with a majority of votes from the total number of deputies, the President of the Republic is obliged to decree it", it is stated in article 75 of the constitution.