AN OVERVIEW OF THE MACEDONIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM: AN EXAMPLE OF INCLUSIVE VOTING, OR GERRYMANDERING?

Since 2002, Macedonian MPs have been elected according to the proportional system, using the D’Hondt formula, and the country is divided into six electoral districts. In each of the districts, 20 MPs are elected. This electoral system was introduced following the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the 2001 Insurgency in the country, due to the inclusive politics promoted by the mentioned agreement. 22 years later, the same electoral system is used, but it shows many weaknesses and is often criticized. One of the most important characteristics of this system is that the sixth electoral district, mostly populated by the Albanian minority, has a significantly smaller voter turnout percentage than the other electoral districts. Is this situation acceptable? Is this an example of positive inclusive measure, or is it an example of electoral engineering? Does the “Gerrymandering” exist in the Macedonian parliamentary electoral system? Should the electoral system be reformed, and which solution is the best for this country, with the heterogenic ethnic structure of its population in mind? In this paper, I will analyze the Macedonian electoral system, used for the parliamentary elections. I will try to answer the questions set before and locate the strengths and weaknesses of the Macedonian electoral system. I will also try to express my view on the current electoral system in the country, and my view on the reforms needed in the electoral laws.