Macedonian Municipal Elections

Macedonian Municipal Elections

Question: What is the U.S. position on upcoming elections in Macedonia? Is the U.S. sending election observers? What, if any, other support is the United States providing?

Answer: These are Macedonia's first municipal elections since passage last summer of decentralization legislation, which was mandated by the Framework Agreement and will strengthen democracy at the local level.

We believe that the government and citizens of Macedonia will work to ensure that the elections are conducted well. Free and fair municipal elections will be a significant step for Macedonia in Framework Agreement implementation, and will provide an important demonstration of Macedonia's ability and willingness to meet European and international standards.

Approximately 25 US participants will travel to Macedonia to join the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observation mission for these elections, and the U.S. Embassy in Skopje will be contributing additional personnel to this effort. In addition, the US and others are working with the OSCE to support nearly 3600 non-partisan domestic observers.

Since 2000, the U.S. has funded significant technical assistance to Macedonia's State Election Commission to promote electoral reform, improve election operations, provide poll worker training, and support voter education.

2005/314 Released on March 11, 2005

Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 11, 2005 Question Taken at March 11, 2005 Daily Press Briefing