Todor Petrov

Todor Petrov
President of World Macedonian Congress
Incumbent
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 (now 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 Bachelors 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 16 Rays Sun

Flag of the Republic of Macedonia 1991-1995

In 1991, when Republic of Macedonia declared independence, Todor Petrov successfully proposed 16 Rays Sun for official flag of Republic of Macedonia.^[14] In 1995, after Greek embargo Macedonia changed 16 Rays Sun.^[15]

Political Activities

Member of Parliament

In 1990, during the first democratic elections Todor Petrov was elected as the Member of Parliament from Gevgelija.^[16] Until today he is one of the only 3 members of parliament who succeed to enter in parliament as independent candidates.^[17][18] 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.^[19][20] 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.^[21] Just a day before the referendum, USA recognise the Macedonia under its constitution name, therefore trying to change the public opinion and putting pressure.^[22] Although 95% voted in favour of the change, the voter turnout of 27% was well below the 50% threshold, and the referendum was unsuccessful.^[23][24]

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.^[25]

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.^[26] 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.^[27] Also, he organised humanitarian aid for the Macedonian refugees in 2001.^[28]

See also

• World Macedonian Congress
• United Macedonia
• Macedonia naming dispute
• Macedonian autonomy referendum, 2004
• Macedonian diaspora
• Makedonsko Sonce

References

External links

• Official website of World Macedonian Congress