The New Party Emerging, “National Strike”, Will Stand in Protection of Every Albanian
Together with Ali Ahmeti to Defend the Albanian Language and National Identity
Written by Flamur Buçpapaj
Albanians in the Balkans have faced for decades a silent battle: the survival of their language, identity, and national memory. From North Macedonia to Montenegro, from Sandžak to other Albanian lands outside the administrative borders of Albania, many Albanians continue to live under the pressure of assimilation, fear, and the denial of their national identity.
At this very moment, a new patriotic and national spirit is rising. The new party “National Strike” is emerging as a new political voice determined to protect every Albanian wherever they live. This movement aims to defend the Albanian language, the Albanian family, national identity, and the historical rights of Albanians throughout the Balkans. A nation that fails to protect its language and identity risks losing itself.
Some time ago, I traveled to the village of Brat in Montenegro. Together with the Catholic Church, we brought Albanian language primers for the Albanian children of that area. It was a painful experience. I saw with my own eyes that many Albanians there no longer spoke Albanian, but Serbo-Croatian. In the eyes of those children, one could clearly see the gradual loss of connection with their roots.
This is the consequence of many years without national protection and without a strong strategy to preserve Albanian identity. In Montenegro, there are Albanians who, out of fear, declare themselves Bosniaks. In Sandžak, many Albanian families do not dare to reveal their origins. Fear, economic pressure, and political isolation have forced many Albanians into silence about who they truly are.
But that era must come to an end.
Albanians should no longer feel like strangers in their own lands. They must become masters of their history, culture, and language. No one has the right to deny them their identity. The Albanian language is not merely a language; it is the very existence of the Albanian nation.
For this reason, Albanians in North Macedonia must demand full constitutional protection for the Albanian language and equal rights with Macedonians. Albanian must be treated as a state-forming language and not as a temporary political concession. Any attempt to weaken its use is an attack against Albanians themselves.
In this national struggle, the figure of Ali Ahmeti remains one of the main symbols of Albanian political resistance in North Macedonia. For many Albanians, he is considered a defender of Albanian rights, the Albanian language, and the political representation of Albanians. His role during the most difficult moments for Albanians has been connected with efforts for equality, the recognition of the Albanian language, and the preservation of Albanian national dignity in that state.
Today, Albanians need unity, not division. They must unite around the national interest and the protection of the Albanian language. National unity does not mean hatred toward other peoples, but rather the protection of Albanian identity and the legitimate rights of Albanians in their own lands.
At the same time, Albanians living outside the borders of Albania should be granted Albanian citizenship. The Albanian state has a moral and national obligation to support Albanians wherever they live. Albania’s Constitution should serve as a shield for the Albanian language and identity across all Albanian territories.
If Albanians remain silent today, tomorrow the consequences may be severe: the loss of the Albanian language, cultural assimilation, alienation from national identity, and the weakening of the Albanian nation in the Balkans.
But if Albanians unite, no one will be able to extinguish the Albanian language.
A new era is emerging. A new national consciousness is awakening. “National Strike” seeks to become the voice of Albanians who demand national dignity, the protection of identity, and pride in their history.
The time of fear must end. The time has come for Albanians to speak with one voice and defend their nation, language, and future throughout the Balkans.
