Afrim Gashi and four former speakers form Council of Former Speakers of the Assembly

Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, Afrim Gashi, together with four former speakers — Tito Petkovski, Nikola Popovski, Trajko Veljanoski and Jovan Mitreski — signed a decision today to establish a Council of Former Speakers of the Assembly.

A new advisory body for the Assembly

The initiative had been discussed in two earlier meetings, held on 25 October last year and on 7 April this year, when the former speakers were informed about the idea of forming such a body.

"The purpose of establishing the Council, as an informal advisory and consultative body, is to ensure continuity of the Assembly's institutional memory, to improve parliamentary practice and democracy, and to provide expert and advisory opinions on matters of importance to the work of the Assembly," the Assembly's press service said.

At the meeting the signatories also discussed procedural issues in the Assembly's work, the digitalization of its operations, the proposal to create a parliamentary library, and other current matters considered important for both the legislature and the state.

Officials said the Council will act as a consultative resource available to the Assembly's leadership and committees, drawing on the experience of former speakers to help strengthen parliamentary procedures and institutional continuity.

Photo: press material from the event