Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SKOPJE418
2008-06-30 15:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Skopje
Cable title:
MACEDONIA: SECOND PARLIAMENTARY RE-RUNS -- MORE
how-toVZCZCXRO6555 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSQ #0418/01 1821537 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 301537Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY SKOPJE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7480 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE 0353 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUESEN/SKOPJE BETA RUEHSQ/USDAO SKOPJE MK RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2302 RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SKOPJE 000418
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: SECOND PARLIAMENTARY RE-RUNS -- MORE
IRREGULARITIES, BUT NO VIOLENCE
REF: SKOPJE 394 AND PREVIOUS
SUMMARY.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SKOPJE 000418
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: SECOND PARLIAMENTARY RE-RUNS -- MORE
IRREGULARITIES, BUT NO VIOLENCE
REF: SKOPJE 394 AND PREVIOUS
SUMMARY.
1. (SBU) The June 29 second round of re-runs of the June 1
Parliamentary elections were again marked by instances of
serious electoral irregularities (reftel). Although the
security environment was improved compared to the June 1
elections, static monitoring by international observer teams
did not stop blatant proxy voting in a number of polling
stations. The results of the re-runs confirm 18 MP seats for
DUI to DPA's 11. DUI is claiming a "landslide victory,"
while DPA and VMRO-DPMNE may try to use an appeal from minor
party PDP in an effort to create a Badinter majority for a
coalition that excludes DUI. End Summary.
Presence of Observers Did Not Stop Blatant Proxy Voting
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) The June 29 second round of re-runs of June 1
Parliamentary elections, like the first round of re-runs on
June 15, showed a greatly improved security environment. The
administration of the voting was marked, however, by serious
irregularities and intimidation in a number of polling
stations. As with the June 15 re-runs, the security
presence was considerable, with sizable police special forces
teams patrolling in and around polling stations.
3. (SBU) Election observers from the Embassy and from the
local NATO, EU, and OSCE missions monitored all 15 of the
re-vote polling stations where June 15 balloting was
invalidated because of fraud, intimidation and/or polling
station closures. Static monitoring did not stop blatant
proxy voting in many polling stations. In one case, a young
man transported groups of voters to the polling station and
clearly marked their ballots for them. In another case, a
young male, clearly under the age of 18, changed his shirt
each time between his many visits to the polling station to
vote with someone else's identification card. The Electoral
Board responded to an observer's question about the youth by
quipping that "he was voting on behalf of the sick and the
elderly." At one polling station, police arrested a man
after he destroyed a number of ballots, angry that the strong
observer presence hindered his ability to stuff ballots. The
polling station was closed for several hours, but later
re-opened.
4. (SBU) The bulk oQthe polling stations saw some
procedural irregularities, including Electoral Boards not
checking voters' identification, or not checking for or
spraying ink on voters' thumbs. One international observer
also reported being shoved by a DPA supporter, and several
monitors noted that voters had begun directing some of their
irritation over the re-vote process toward the international
community.
More Re-Runs? PDP May Carry DPA's (and VMRO-DPMNE's?) Water
-------------- --------------
5. (SBU) The State Electoral Commission (SEC) reported that
the June 29 balloting confirms the June 15 results, with the
Parliamentary seat distribution as follows: DUI 18, DPA 11,
VMRO-DPMNE 63 and the opposition "Sonce" coalition 27.
Parties have 48 hours to file appeals to the SEC. Neither
DUI nor DPA are likely to appeal the results.
6. (SBU) DUI called the results a "landslide victory,"
while DPA said that earlier SEC and Supreme Court decisions
had enabled DUI's "theft" of 60 thousand votes, but added
that they were unlikely to file another round of appeals.
7. (SBU) Ethnic Albanian PDP (a minor party) has announced
to the SEC its intention to appeal the results of the June 29
balloting. PDP leader Abduladi Vejseli said that his party
is only 123 votes short of earning an MP seat, which would
cost DUI one MP. If PDP's appeal is successful and a re-vote
earns them a seat, that seat, together with DPA's 11 seats
and the 6 ethnic minority-held seats in the current
VMRO-DPMNE coalition, would allow for a Badinter majority.
That would give VMRO-DPMNE the possibility to build a
"Badinter capable" coalition without DUI as a coalition
partner. Note: Monitors suspected that some VMRO-DPMNE
SKOPJE 00000418 002 OF 002
supporters received instructions to vote for PDP, in an
effort to decrease DUI's numbers and offer VMRO-DPMNE more
flexibility in coalition negotiations. End note.
Milovanovic
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: SECOND PARLIAMENTARY RE-RUNS -- MORE
IRREGULARITIES, BUT NO VIOLENCE
REF: SKOPJE 394 AND PREVIOUS
SUMMARY.
1. (SBU) The June 29 second round of re-runs of the June 1
Parliamentary elections were again marked by instances of
serious electoral irregularities (reftel). Although the
security environment was improved compared to the June 1
elections, static monitoring by international observer teams
did not stop blatant proxy voting in a number of polling
stations. The results of the re-runs confirm 18 MP seats for
DUI to DPA's 11. DUI is claiming a "landslide victory,"
while DPA and VMRO-DPMNE may try to use an appeal from minor
party PDP in an effort to create a Badinter majority for a
coalition that excludes DUI. End Summary.
Presence of Observers Did Not Stop Blatant Proxy Voting
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) The June 29 second round of re-runs of June 1
Parliamentary elections, like the first round of re-runs on
June 15, showed a greatly improved security environment. The
administration of the voting was marked, however, by serious
irregularities and intimidation in a number of polling
stations. As with the June 15 re-runs, the security
presence was considerable, with sizable police special forces
teams patrolling in and around polling stations.
3. (SBU) Election observers from the Embassy and from the
local NATO, EU, and OSCE missions monitored all 15 of the
re-vote polling stations where June 15 balloting was
invalidated because of fraud, intimidation and/or polling
station closures. Static monitoring did not stop blatant
proxy voting in many polling stations. In one case, a young
man transported groups of voters to the polling station and
clearly marked their ballots for them. In another case, a
young male, clearly under the age of 18, changed his shirt
each time between his many visits to the polling station to
vote with someone else's identification card. The Electoral
Board responded to an observer's question about the youth by
quipping that "he was voting on behalf of the sick and the
elderly." At one polling station, police arrested a man
after he destroyed a number of ballots, angry that the strong
observer presence hindered his ability to stuff ballots. The
polling station was closed for several hours, but later
re-opened.
4. (SBU) The bulk oQthe polling stations saw some
procedural irregularities, including Electoral Boards not
checking voters' identification, or not checking for or
spraying ink on voters' thumbs. One international observer
also reported being shoved by a DPA supporter, and several
monitors noted that voters had begun directing some of their
irritation over the re-vote process toward the international
community.
More Re-Runs? PDP May Carry DPA's (and VMRO-DPMNE's?) Water
-------------- --------------
5. (SBU) The State Electoral Commission (SEC) reported that
the June 29 balloting confirms the June 15 results, with the
Parliamentary seat distribution as follows: DUI 18, DPA 11,
VMRO-DPMNE 63 and the opposition "Sonce" coalition 27.
Parties have 48 hours to file appeals to the SEC. Neither
DUI nor DPA are likely to appeal the results.
6. (SBU) DUI called the results a "landslide victory,"
while DPA said that earlier SEC and Supreme Court decisions
had enabled DUI's "theft" of 60 thousand votes, but added
that they were unlikely to file another round of appeals.
7. (SBU) Ethnic Albanian PDP (a minor party) has announced
to the SEC its intention to appeal the results of the June 29
balloting. PDP leader Abduladi Vejseli said that his party
is only 123 votes short of earning an MP seat, which would
cost DUI one MP. If PDP's appeal is successful and a re-vote
earns them a seat, that seat, together with DPA's 11 seats
and the 6 ethnic minority-held seats in the current
VMRO-DPMNE coalition, would allow for a Badinter majority.
That would give VMRO-DPMNE the possibility to build a
"Badinter capable" coalition without DUI as a coalition
partner. Note: Monitors suspected that some VMRO-DPMNE
SKOPJE 00000418 002 OF 002
supporters received instructions to vote for PDP, in an
effort to decrease DUI's numbers and offer VMRO-DPMNE more
flexibility in coalition negotiations. End note.
Milovanovic