Makedonija
Politics
Government
Prior to its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, Makedonija was a member republic
of the Socialist Federation of Jugoslavija. The head of state was Josip Broz Tito,
who had led the Jugoslav federation since the end of WW2. After 1991, the government
adopted many elements of democratic government. The parliament formed and adopted
a constitution in November 1991. The constitution guarntees civil rights to the
republic's citizens, who are defined as those who have lived in Makedonija for
more than 15 years. Among these rights is the right to vote at 18 years of age.
The republic has adopted a multiparty system. The main parties include the Social
Democratic Alliance of Macedonia, (the former Communist Party), the Liberal Party,
the Albanian Party of Democratic Prosperity, and the Socialist Party of Makedonija.
The national parliament comprises a 120 member National Assembly (Sobranje), which
is elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The president is head of state
and, under the 1991 constitution, is directly elected to a five-year term. The
inaugural President was Kiro Giligarov. The current president is Boris Trajkovski,
and the Prime Minister is Ljubco Georgievski. Previously members of the National
Assembly elected the president. The president is also head of the executive, but
appoints a prime minister, who must be approved by the National Assembly. The
function of the prime minister is to handle daily government operations. The president
cannot veto legislation passed by a two-thirds majority in the assembly.
International Politics
The greatest threat to the republic's sovereignty arose from the delay in achieving international recognition.This was caused by a protrated dispute with Greece over the republic's name, Makedonija. Greece refused to accept the republic until it changed its name, claiming that Makedonija was the name of the northern Greek province, and that part of the republic's constitution suggested territorial claims to this northern Greek province. Greece also objected to the republic's use of the 16-pointed Vergina sun on it's flag (as seen above), which had been the symbol of Alexander the Great. International pressure led to the National Assembly to amend the constitution to ensure Greece that it had no territorial claims in Greece or any other country. Talks with Greece on the matter of a name collapsed, however, and the other members of the European Union sided with Greece in not acknowledging the republic pending constitutional reform. Greece and makedonija approached the United Nations to resolve of the problem of the republic's name. With its trade routes to the south blockaded by Greece, and the acceptance of the UN blockade of Serbia, the republic soon found itself isolated and an already weak economy deteriorating. On April 8, 1993, full international recognition was achieved when it was admitted to the UN as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The name was a mutually acceptable to Makedonija and Greece until a final settlement its name could be reached. The issue of the flag was also settled. The design of Vergina sun was modified to an 8-point device, which can be seen in the title bar of this page.
Makedonija is still actively seeking entry into the European Union, and has been encouraged by the recent acceptance into the Union of another former Jugoslav Federation member, Slovenija.
The Judiciary
The National Assembly appoints judges to the Judicial Court and Constitutional Court of the Republic. There are also lower-level trial and appellate Courts. The legal system is based on the premise of a civil law and includes judicial review of parliamentary actions.
The Military
The republic has an army comprised of a small nucleus of professional officers and senior NCO's, augmented by a conscripted army of young men between 18 and 30 years of age who give compulsory service for 9 months. Makedonija also has a small air force, and an air defence force, and a small navy to patrol the southern Ohridsko Ezero and Prospansko Ezero which are shared with Albania and Greece. The police in adittion to normal policing functions also manages the border areas with it neighbours, supported by the army.
Social Benefits & Health Care
The state provides social benefits, including pensions, and guarantees universal, free health care. However, effective and timely treatment is unlikely except in the private sector. Most pharmacies are privately owned and many preparations are available without prescription.
Impact of Democracy
Democracy in Makedonija has seen little change in terms of leadership. In fact the majority of the "democratic" politicians today, were leaders in the previous Communist government (including the president, Kiro Gligorov). In most respects, life is the same now as it was under socialist rule. To the average Makedonijan the standard of living has dropped dramatically, with the average annual income now less than US$1,000, compared with US$1,500 in 1990. Makedonijan people are still required to carry an identity card (or licna karta) as they were under the socialist regime, although they are free to travel both inside and outside the country. Private enterprise is flourishing, but state-owned entities are disintegrating as result of inefficiencies and outdated technology. The private ownership of land for housing and agriculture has always been allowed. As a result of its mostly agrarian history, Makedonija was the poorest of the former Jugoslav republics, with little industrial activity being carried out in comparison to its former members. This is still the position today.
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