World Macedonian Congress - 2004 Referendum

2004 Referendum

In 2004, Todor Petrov and World Macedonian Congress initiated 2004 Macedonian Referendum against changes of аdministrative divisions. According to the government proposal of municipal border, which would decrease the percentage of Macedonians, and transform Struga and Kicevo into Albanians dominated cities, as well as make Albanian to be official language in capital Skopje. Prior to the vote, a Macedonian newspaper carried a story suggesting that if the referendum succeeded, Albanian militants had planned to blow up a pipeline carrying water to the capital Skopje. Just a day before the referendum, USA recognise the Macedonia under its constitution name, therefore trying to change the public opinion and putting pressure. Although 95% voted in favour of the change, the voter turnout of 27% was well below the 50% threshold, and the referendum was unsuccessful.