1.   Dissenting political parties have been banned.

2.   In a national television address President B.J. Habibie urged the dissenting parties to reconsider.

3.   The dissenting party then protested, saying this still reflected a perceived dominance by majority Macedonians.

4.   The preamble defines Macedonia as a state, and the dissenting party claims it reflects a continuing dominance of Macedonians.

5.   The reforms could be passed without the support of the dissenting party, but a wide consensus is considered essential for long-term peace.