1991 Macedonian independence referendum

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|  | 8 September 1991 (1991-09-08) |

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Are you for a sovereign and independent state of Macedonia, with a right to enter into any future alliance with the sovereign states of Yugoslavia?

Results

Choice

| Votes  | %

|
|

Yes | 1,079,308 | 96.46%
No | 39,639  | 3.54%
Valid votes  | 1,118,947  | 98.79%
Invalid or blank votes  | 13,648  | 1.21%
Total votes | 1,132,595 | 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout | 1,495,807  | 75.72%

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An independence referendum was held in the Socialist Republic of Macedonia on 8 September 1991, which afterwards proclaimed independence from Yugoslavia. The referendum question read: "Are you for a sovereign and independent state of Macedonia, with a right to enter into any future alliance with the sovereign states of Yugoslavia?" It was approved by 96% of voters, with a turnout of 76%; most ethnic Albanians in the country boycotted the referendum over the latter half of the referendum question. 8 September is celebrated as Independence Day in North Macedonia (formerly just Macedonia).

## Background

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Amid the fall of communism in Europe in 1989, the socialist government of Macedonia introduced reforms parallel to the Glasnost reforms of the Soviet Union. Political pluralism was legalised, and multi-party elections were held in November 1990. In August 1991, the Macedonian parliament passed a motion to hold an independence referendum on 8 September 1991.[1][2]

## Question and results

[edit]

The question on the referendum was: "Are you for a sovereign and independent state of Macedonia, with a right to enter into any future alliance with the sovereign states of Yugoslavia?" The latter part of the question was intended to reserve an independent Macedonia the right to join a revived version of Yugoslavia in the event of Yugoslavia's total collapse.[3] Many ethnic Albanians in the country, although in favour of Macedonian independence, boycotted the referendum because they opposed the latter part of the question, as they were wary of Serbian political dominance in a future Yugoslavia of any form.[1][4] Nonetheless, turnout was over 76%, with 96% of voters in favour of independence and the right to join a new Yugoslavia.[2] Despite the Albanians' boycott, a multiethnic government was formed after Macedonia's declaration of independence later that year.[1]

The anniversary of the referendum, on 8 September, is celebrated as the Independence Day of North Macedonia (formerly just Macedonia).[5]

Choice| Votes| %

|
|

For| 1,079,308| 96.46
Against| 39,639| 3.54
Total| 1,118,947| 100.00
Valid votes| 1,118,947| 98.79
Invalid/blank votes| 13,648| 1.21
Total votes| 1,132,595| 100.00
Registered voters/turnout| 1,495,807| 75.72
Source: Nohlen & Stöver 2010, p. 1278

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Trajanovski, Naum (6 May 2024). A History of Macedonian Sociology: In Quest for Identity. Springer Nature. pp. 132–133\. ISBN 978-3-031-48869-6. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
2. ^ a b Nohlen, Dieter; Stöver, Philip (2010). Elections in Europe: A Data Handbook. Nomos. p. 1278\. ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
3. ^ Pridham, Geoffrey; Gallagher, Tom, eds. (2000). "Macedonia: An unlikely road to democracy". Experimenting with Democracy: Regime Change in the Balkans. London: Routledge. p. 250\. ISBN 9780415187268.
4. ^ Staf, European Centre for Minority Issues (1 January 2003). European Yearbook of Minority Issues: 2001/2. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. p. 336\. ISBN 978-90-411-1956-8. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
5. ^ "North Macedonia marks the Independence Day". Sarajevo Times. 8 September 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2025.

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See also: Elections in Yugoslavia

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Independence referendums in Yugoslavia

Republics and provinces|

* Slovenia (1990)
* Croatia (1991)
* Macedonia (1991)
* Kosovo (1991)
* Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992)
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Autonomy|

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