Flamur Buçpapaj
General Context
North Macedonia today faces a major political and historical challenge: how to build a stable state on the foundations of multiethnic equality. On the eve of new elections, Albanians seek not merely political representation, but full guarantees for their national rights.
The current Prime Minister and his government are often accused of repeating the mistakes of the past—especially those of Nikola Gruevski’s era (2006–2016), when Macedonian nationalism dominated politics and Albanians were treated as a secondary factor. This approach threatens both stability and the future of the country’s European integration.
Albanians and Their Inalienable Rights
Albanians form an essential part of North Macedonia. According to the 2021 Census, Albanians represent 24.3% of the population However, this figure is disputed by many analysts and by Albanian parties themselves, who emphasize that massive emigration and the boycott of registration artificially lowered the percentage. Unofficial reports and independent sources estimate the Albanian presence at over 30%.
The Ohrid Framework Agreement (2001), signed after the armed conflict between the National Liberation Army (NLA) and Macedonian forces, guaranteed:
the use of the Albanian language as an official language at both municipal and state levels;
proportional representation of Albanians in administration, the army, and the police;
the use of the Albanian flag and ethnic symbols;
decentralization of power.
However, according to the OSCE/ODIHR 2023 report on the implementation of human and minority rights in North Macedonia, many of these points have not been fully enforced. For example:
Albanian is used in official documents, but state bureaucracy often obstructs its practical implementation;
Albanians remain underrepresented in the higher structures of the army and judiciary;
Albanian symbols (such as the national flag) are occasionally turned into objects of nationalist debate in Skopje.
Thus, equality exists on paper, but not in practice.
The Risk of Marginalization and Political Consequences
Any attempt to restrict Albanian rights risks destabilizing the state. In 2001, the armed conflict erupted precisely as a result of long-term discrimination against Albanians. The International Crisis Group’s 2001 report emphasized that “without the integration of Albanians, the Macedonian state has no sustainable future.”
If discriminatory practices re-emerge, the consequences may include:
political crisis, with blocked institutions;
ethnic crisis, with renewed tensions between communities;
regional crisis, as destabilization in Macedonia directly affects Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
Comparable examples in the region include:
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the violation of community rights led to disintegration and war (1992–1995).
In Kosovo, Serbia’s denial of basic rights to Albanians culminated in the declaration of independence in 2008.
The Option of Albanian National Unification
If equality for Albanians is not realized, the option of unification with Albania remains an open perspective. This alternative is frequently mentioned in Albanian political discourse, particularly when Skopje fails to respect the Ohrid Agreement.
The European Stability Initiative (2018) report emphasized that “the sense of injustice among Albanians in Macedonia remains a powerful driver of the narrative of national unification.”
As happened with East and West Germany, political borders cannot permanently block a nation’s aspirations to unite. The Albanian National Army (ANA), although no longer an active military force, remains a historical reminder of the readiness to defend national dignity.
Elections: A Test for the State’s Future
The upcoming elections are an existential test for North Macedonia. Albanians can no longer be satisfied with promises; they must demand:
genuine proportional representation in all institutions (OSCE/ODIHR 2023 reports still highlight shortcomings in this regard);
full implementation of the Albanian language in administration and official documents;
broader municipal autonomy, in line with European standards of decentralization;
international guarantees, with the EU and NATO overseeing compliance with the Ohrid Agreement.
Without such guarantees, elections will not be a step toward integration but toward crisis.
Conclusion: Two Possible Paths
North Macedonia now faces two choices:
. The Path of Integration – genuine equality between Albanians and Macedonians, building a multiethnic and democratic state in line with European standards.
The Path of Conflict – if Albanians are marginalized, the road toward territorial division and national unification with Albania becomes unavoidable.
Albanians are a key factor for regional stability and for the future of North Macedonia. As the European Commission Enlargement Report (2022) emphasizes: “North Macedonia cannot advance toward the EU without full implementation of the Ohrid Agreement and without the integration of Albanians as an
