At the 7 November referendum, citizens will say whether they are for or against the new organisation of boundaries of local municipalities and towns.
In August this year the Macedonian parliament adopted a law regulating a new internal territorial organisation, which elicited stormy reactions among some Macedonians and opposition parties which claimed that changes were in favour of ethnic Albanians. Consequently, an initiative was launched for collecting the required number of citizens' signatures so as to hold a referendum on the matter.
Under the new law, which is seen as a result of the 2001 Ohrid Agreement, which was reached with the assistance of NATO and the EU and which stopped ethnic clashes between Macedonians and ethnic Albanians, boundary lines of some towns and municipalities will be changed. As a result, the ethnic structure will be altered to the benefit of local Albanians.
Citizens of Struga, Kicevo and sections of the capital Skopje feel they are especially affected by the new law. They believe the implementation of the law would lead to the Albanisation of their towns.
The ruling Macedonian parties call on citizens not to go to the referendum. Foreign diplomats seem in favour of the new law which they say will ensure the exercising of minority rights.