Albanian opposition leader in North Macedonia warns international community: Albanian rights at risk
Photo: Ali Ahmeti
The leader of North Macedonia’s opposition Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), Ali Ahmeti, has issued a letter to key Albanian and international leaders, voicing concerns over the repeal of the Law on the Use of Languages, the prohibition of ethnic identification in state institutions, and the formation of a government lacking equitable ethnic representation.
Ahmeti warns these moves “jeopardize the achievements of the Ohrid Agreement and the principles of equality and stability in a multi-ethnic society.” He urges international leaders to defend the Ohrid Agreement’s achievements and the rights of Albanians in North Macedonia.
Ahmeti’s letters were sent to Albania’s President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Why is this significant: The decisions mentioned in the letter could fuel inter-ethnic tensions in North Macedonia, where relations between the ethnic Macedonian majority and the ethnic Albanian community, which comprises about 30% of the population, remain shaky.
Context: North Macedonia’s Constitutional Court is set to decide in December on the future of the Law on the Use of Languages, which was adopted seven years ago.
The Law on the Use of Languages requires state institutions in North Macedonia to officially accommodate languages spoken by at least 20% of the population. This includes Albanian, which is recognized in the first article of the law as the language of a significant portion of the population. The law also extends to languages of communities with less than 20% representation.
Under this law, official items like coins, postage stamps, police and firefighter uniforms must include inscriptions in any language spoken by at least 20% of the population, a measure aimed at supporting the linguistic identity of Albanians and other ethnic groups in the country.
On October 9, the Constitutional Court in North Macedonia also decided to abolish the ‘Balancer’, a software mechanism that regulated the “fair and adequate” representation of ethnic communities in public administration.
The legal provisions on ethnic quotas in the public sector were introduced as part of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended an armed conflict with ethnic Albanian militants in 2001. They aim to ensure equitable representation of ethnic communities.
The ruling VMRO-DPMNE party has claimed that the mechanism has been misused, leading to an overstaffed public sector filled with party clients. The party is in favour of new legal provisions to ensure equitable representation while preventing abuse. However, no alternative provisions have been proposed yet. The grouping of Albanian political parties in the Government, VLEN, has promised that the “Balancer” mechanism will be replaced by a new law, which will also determine employment according to ethnicity.
Ali Ahmeti warns that these moves pose a significant threat to peace and stability in both the country and the wider region. “These three major blows to the foundations of the Ohrid Agreement endanger peace, stability, inter-ethnic harmony, and multi-ethnic democracy in North Macedonia. These issues go beyond internal politics, with serious regional implications for stability. Such measures risk undoing key elements of peace and equality, taking us back to pre-2001 conditions that led to crisis and conflict. I urge a united and decisive response to protect the achievements of the Ohrid Agreement and the rights guaranteed to Albanians,” Ahmeti writes.
Go deeper
Kosovo PM warns of Serbian aggression amid rising tensions and internal challenges
Published on November 22, 2024
Why is this important: Kurti’s statement underscores the enduring tensions in the Western Balkans where the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo has practically been frozen. It also highlights Kosovo concerns over Serbia’s growing assertiveness. Framing Belgrade’s actions as a continuation of the “Greater Serbia” project, Kurti warned that Serbia poses a direct threat not only to Kosovo but also to the broader region, including Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. The remarks are an attempt to mobilize international support. But they are also seen as an attempt by Kurti to rally his base and reinforce his nationalist credentials ahead of Kosovo’s 2025 elections, where he is considered the favorite despite an increasingly active opposition.
Albanian opposition announces November 26 protest against court ruling
Published on November 22, 2024
Why is this important: The Democratic Party’s (DP) decision to protest follows a ruling by the Constitutional Court that upheld the decision of the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) to bypass Parliament in enforcing measures against Berisha, including an obligation to appear before the prosecution and a travel ban. However, the Court deemed the travel ban imposed on Berisha as disproportionate. The decision to protest against the Constitutional Court ruling came as no surprise. DP and Berisha have a tradition of protesting against all court decisions that go against them.
President consults parties on election date amid Democratic Party boycott
Published on November 21, 2024
Why is this important: The election date is a constitutional prerogative of the President of the Republic. Traditionally, before announcing the date for parliamentary or local elections, the President consults with political parties, particularly those in Parliament, ensuring transparency and inclusivity in electoral planning. With no substantial disagreements, claims, or demands from parties regarding a specific election date, the DP’s refusal appears more as an attack on the President and an application of a traditional DP tactic of intimidating public officials by publicly accusing them of collusion with their opponents.