After eight (8) cycles of elections since independence, conducting different electoral models including the majority, proportional and mixed model, it is interesting to note the fact that Roma have always had one or two political representatives in the Parliament. Apart from the members of Parliament, other Roma political parties intended to secure seats at the institutional level and the decision-making level. These results position the Roma community in Macedonia as advanced compared to other countries in the neighborhood and beyond. However, the ninth cycle of elections in 2016, Roma will have three candidates on the lists in experimental places to win mandates. This is the first time where three Roma candidates participated in parliamentary elections.
In addition, this cycle like previous other cycles, the competition is based on the two major Macedonian parties. SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE are again the key coalition partners to all the Roma parties. Although Roma have seven active political parties, none of the parties ever decided to participate independently in the parliamentary and local elections. Debating the outcome, whether Roma can win a mandate or not, they should also assess the opportunity to build coalitions after the elections based on their program or the interest of the electorate. Nevertheless, the most important on these elections were the maturity and political culture for three rules – Use your right to vote, Vote according to your own preference and do not sell your vote.
After eight (8) cycles of elections since independence, conducting different electoral models including the majority, proportional and mixed model, it is interesting to note the fact that Roma have always had one or two political representatives in the Parliament. Apart from the members of Parliament, other Roma political parties intended to secure seats at the institutional level and the decision-making level. These results position the Roma community in Macedonia as advanced compared to other countries in the neighborhood and beyond. However, the ninth cycle of elections in 2016, Roma will have three candidates on the lists in experimental places to win mandates. This is the first time where three Roma candidates participated in parliamentary elections.
In addition, this cycle like previous other cycles, the competition is based on the two major Macedonian parties. SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE are again the key coalition partners to all the Roma parties. Although Roma have seven active political parties, none of the parties ever decided to participate independently in the parliamentary and local elections. Debating the outcome, whether Roma can win a mandate or not, they should also assess the opportunity to build coalitions after the elections based on their program or the interest of the electorate. Nevertheless, the most important on these elections were the maturity and political culture for three rules – Use your right to vote, Vote according to your own preference and do not sell your vote.