Todor Petrov

Todor Petrov
President of World Macedonian Congress
Assumed office
15 September 1990
Member of the Macedonian Assembly
In office
1990–1994
Personal details
Born (1960-03-19) 19 March 1960
Gevgelija, SR Macedonia, SFR Yugoslavia Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(now Macedonia) Republic of Macedonia
Nationality Macedonian
Political party Independent
Residence Skopje
Alma mater Ss. Cyril and Methodius University
Occupation Far right politician[1][2][3]
Profession Economist
Religion Macedonian Orthodoxy

Todor Petrov, (born March 19, 1960 in Gevgelija, Republic of Macedonia) is a Macedonian nationalist political activist.[4][5] Currently he is president of the World Macedonian Congress (WMC).[6][7] Since the last elections he has been put as a councilor in the Gazi Baba Mayor's council.[8]

Education ad Early Life

Petrov is born on 19 March 1960 in Gevgelija. He finished his primary and high school in Gevgelija. After he attended the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University where he earned bachelor's degree in Economic.[9]

World Macedonian Congress

Todor Petrov is president of the World Macedonian Congress (WMC).[6][7] He has been re-elected several times as president of World Macedonian Congress, last time in 2012 and his mandate expires in 2016.[10][11] WMC is informal World Parliament of the Macedonians and former Macedonian government-in-exile established in 1898 in Geneva, Switzerland.[9][12] World Macedonian Congress, same as World Jewish Congress, is affiliate to UN as international non-government organisation.[9]

Makedonsko Sonce

Todor Petrov used to be chairman of the weekly newspaper Makedonsko Sonce, where he promoted the Macedonian cause.[13]

The flag of the Republic of Macedonia between 1992 and 1995, bearing the Vergina Sun

Flag of the Republic of Macedonia 1991-1995

In 1991, when Republic of Macedonia declared independence, Todor Petrov successfully proposed the Vergina Sun symbol as the official flag of Republic of Macedonia.[14] In 1992 the newly formed country displayed the symbol on its new flag. This lasted until 1995, when the Republic of Macedonia was forced to modify its flag by Greece.

Political Activities

Member of Parliament

In 1990, during the first democratic elections Todor Petrov was elected as the Member of Parliament from Gevgelija.[15] Until today he is one of the only 3 members of parliament who succeed to enter in parliament as independent candidates.[16][17] During his 4 years as Member of Parliament, he made over 2000 amendment, which make him the biggest amendment proposer in Macedonia politics.

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.[18][19] 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.[20] Just a day before the referendum, USA recognise the Macedonia under its constitution name, therefore trying to change the public opinion and putting pressure.[21] Although 95% voted in favour of the change, the voter turnout of 27% was well below the 50% threshold, and the referendum was unsuccessful.[22][23]

Presidential bid

In 2009, Todor Petrov was nominated for candidate of VMRO-DPMNE for president of Macedonia. He was not able to secure his candidacy at the party's convention, and VMRO-DPMNE decided to appointed Gjorge Ivanov as the party's presidential candidate, who later became President of Macedonia.[24]

Human Rights Activities

Todor Petrov has send thousand of appeals to western countries and international organisations in order to aware them of the harsh position of Macedonians in Ethnic Macedonia and demanding basic human right for them. Also, he is appealing for basic human right of the Macedonian children-refugees expelled from Greece.[25] He is often promoting collecting humanitarian aid through Macedonian diaspora. Also, Todor Petrov take part in organizing of collecting of 400 000 Australian dollars for help to the families of the Macedonian soldiers killed in action during the war in Macedonia in 2001.[26] Also, he organised humanitarian aid for the Macedonian refugees in 2001.[27]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Loring M. Danforth, The Macedonian conflict: ethnic nationalism in a transnational world, Princeton University Press, 1995, p.101
  2. ↑ The Centre for SouthEast European Studies
  3. ↑ Freedom House, Country Report: Macedonia
  4. ↑ Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, The radical right in Macedonia, Zdravko Saveski, Artan Sadiku, December 2012, p. 1.
  5. ↑ Nationalists block NATO route from Macedonia. Demands include rebel crackdown, August 19, 2001, Chicago Tribune.
  6. 1 2 "Bulgaria Reverts to Past Totalitarian Practices and Bans Macedonian and US Citizens from Attending Macedonian Commemorations". Macedonian Human Rights Movement International. April 28, 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Two officers for one Todor Petrov". FOCUS News Agency Home / Скандал на деня. May 7, 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  8. ↑ Plus Info MK - News related to Todor Petrov Template:Mk-icon
  9. 1 2 3 Official website of World Macedonian Congres s
  10. ↑ http://www.telma.com.mk/index.php?task=content&cat=1..&rub=15&item=19157
  11. ↑ http://www.utrinski.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=B010E62136B2114A8C7819B703CB3CA5
  12. ↑ „Interview with Todor Petrov, Presided of WMC“, Macedonian Sun, 18.1.2008
  13. ↑ Official website of Makedonsko Sonce Archived 29 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine.
  14. ↑ http://flagspot.net/flags/mk_verg.html
  15. ↑ Official website of Macedonian Assembly
  16. ↑ Official website of Macedonian Assembly http://www.sobranie.mk/en/default-en.asp?ItemID=E986DCE309CEB64390DBB44E7DD86B78
  17. ↑ Official website of State Election Commission of Macedonia http://www.sec.mk/arhiva/1990_parlamentarni/konecni_rezultati_1990.pdf
  18. ↑ TV Sitel (In Macedonian)
  19. ↑ MTV Documentary about 2005 referendum (in Macedonia)
  20. ↑ What Fear Motivated the West�s Anti-Referendum Hysteria?, Balkan Analysis, 2004-11-09, accessed on 2007-03-18
  21. ↑ Economist 2004
  22. ↑ Election Profile IFES
  23. ↑ Results IFES
  24. ↑ Newspaper Vecer
  25. ↑ http://www.sky.mk/index.php/republika/15982-odrzhana-19-tata-tradicionalna-sredba-na-decata-begalci-od-egejska-makedonija
  26. ↑ Dnevnik newspaper 16.04.2006 (In Macedonian)
  27. ↑ http://www.zmd.ch/aktivnosti/aktivnosti.html

External links

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