Are referendum results binding?

Macedonia's Constitution of 1991 (last amended in 2011)

Article 73. (Optional referendum)

The Assembly decides on issuing notice of a referendum concerning specific matters within its sphere of competence by a majority vote of the total number of Representatives.

The decision of the majority of voters in a referendum is adopted on condition that more than half of the total number of voters voted.

The Assembly is obliged to issue notice of a referendum if one is proposed by at least 150,000 voters. The decision made in a referendum is binding.

Article 74. (Mandatory referendum)

The Assembly makes decisions on any change in the borders of the Republic by a two-thirds majority vote of the total number of Representatives.

The decision on any change in the borders of the Republic is adopted by referendum, in so far as it is accepted by the majority of the total number of voters.

Law on Referendum and Civil Initiative (Official Gazette of RM no. 24/1998)

Article 6. For issues of broader significance to the citizens and the Republic a consultative referendum may be announced.

The decision made on the consultative referendum shall not oblige the Assembly.

Article 23. The decision for a legislative referendum shall be considered adopted, if majority of the voters that voted, voted for that, if more than half of the total number of voters registered in the General Voters’ List voted.

The decision reached on a legislative referendum shall be compulsory.

Mandatory referendums are always binding. However, when it comes to optional referendums, legislative referendums are binding (Article 23, Law on Referendum and Civil Initiative), while consultative referendums may not be binding (Article 6, Law on Referendum and Civil Initiative).