Dauti refused to leave the podium; parliamentary services cut off her microphone

The work of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia ended in tensions before the collective summer break, after MPs from the Albanian opposition parties blocked today’s session and prevented several items from being voted on. At the center of the dispute was MP Ilire Dauti of the Albanian League, who insisted that the Prime Minister orally answer a written question she had submitted about the Law on Fair Representation.

Dauti refused to leave the podium and confronted her colleagues with a sharp stance: "I will not move from the podium until I get an answer. The session is being blocked by the Prime Minister. If he had answered my question, I would not have come to the podium again."

Parliamentary services turned off her microphone

The Speaker of the Assembly, Afrim Gashi, reminded her that the Rules of Procedure do not allow an oral answer to a written question and that if she wanted an oral debate she should have registered before the session. When Dauti continued with procedural remarks, the parliamentary services cut off her sound. Gashi explained to reporters that, according to the Rules of Procedure, MPs are entitled to one procedural remark, although he allows more in order not to inflame tensions.

Other MPs joined Dauti at the podium, including Ziadin Sela and Rijad Shaqiri, after which a recess followed. The tense tone continued after the short break. From the opposition, the parties of the ethnic communities rallied around the Law on Fair Representation and demanded to show that the majority does not have a Badinter majority, but Gashi postponed the vote, claiming it was his procedural prerogative.

SDSM MP Fatmir Bytyqi commented on the conflict: "This is reciprocity. The way the majority behaves toward the opposition is the way the opposition behaves toward them." In an attempt to calm the atmosphere, VMRO-DPMNE coordinator Nikola Micevski emphasized: "According to the Rules of Procedure, you cannot demand an oral answer to a written question. You will receive a written answer and if you do not like it you can pose the question again. It cannot be that because of you 119 MPs are unable to ask a parliamentary question."

When MPs return from the break, priorities for resuming debates will include the Law on Skopje — European Capital of Culture, laws in the field of education, and amendments to the Electoral Code.

Photo: press material from the event