Macedonia’s Parliament will put its activities on hold as of April 1, which coincides with the start of the presidential election campaign.

Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi says that it is common practice for the Parliament to be on hold during that period, but leaves the opportunity to convene a session if there is a pressing need.

He told reporters that if the required turnout is not reached in the second election round and a new president of the state is not elected, according to the Constitution, the Parliament Speaker performs the duty within a maximum period of six months. Meanwhile, Xhaferi said, the procedure for election of the president of the state is being repeated, i.e new elections are scheduled.

This case, underlined the Parliament Speaker, is provided in the Constitution, as what happens if, on any ground, the president of the state is unable to perform his duty. Both cases, Xhaferi said, are regulated by Articles 81 and 82 of the Constitution.