Legal System of North Macedonia

North Macedonia is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in southeastern europe, north of greece. The country achieved independence on 8 september 1991 (referendum endorsed independence from yugoslavia). The capital is Skopje.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary republic Chief of State: President Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (since 12 May 2024) Head of Government: Prime Minister Hristijan MICKOSKI (since 23 June 2024) Cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Assembly by simple majority vote Administrative Divisions: 80 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina) and 1 city* (grad); Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Caska, Centar Zupa, Cesinovo-Oblesevo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostuse, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Skopje*, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci

*the Greater Skopje area is composed of 10 municipalities: Aerodrom, Butel, Centar, Chair, Gazi Baba, Gjorce Petrov, Karposh, Kisela Voda, Saraj, and Shuto Orizari National Holiday: Independence Day, 8 September (1991), also known as National Day Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of North Macedonia is described as civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous (since 1944); latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic, by the government, by at least 30 members of the Assembly, or by petition of at least 150,000 citizens; final approval requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 22 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Council, a 7-member body of legal professionals, and appointed by the Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Assembly for nonrenewable, 9-year terms Subordinate Courts: Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of North Macedonia Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

North Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991 under the name of "Macedonia." Greece objected to the new country’s name, insisting it implied territorial pretensions to the northern Greek province of Macedonia, and democratic backsliding for several years stalled North Macedonia's movement toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Immediately after Macedonia declared independence, Greece sought to block its efforts to gain UN membership if the name "Macedonia" was used.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of North Macedonia based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.