The “Law on the Use of Languages” in North Macedonia, enacted in 2018, allows for Albanian to be used as an official language alongside Macedonian. This law could potentially be repealed, and a statement from the head of the Constitutional Court, Darko Kostadinovski, has sparked debate.

Questions have also been raised about the Albanian language, with the European Front led by BDI demanding it remain untouched, while the Albanian party coalition “VLEN” describes it as an attempt at a coup. Complaints about the law to North Macedonia’s Constitutional Court have been notable, but journalist Seladin Xhezairi from Tetova finds it strange that they will be reviewed after a long delay.

Xhezairi stated, “Opening Pandora’s box could be very costly for Macedonian leadership, as Albanians have had a greater compromise since independence, recognizing Macedonia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty but expressing reservations about internal arrangements.”

Invited to RTSH24, Xhezairi also discussed the reaction of Albanian parties in North Macedonia, specifically the VLEN coalition.

Recent issues with neighbors and the new government in North Macedonia have reignited tensions, with Xhezairi noting that repealing the foreign language law could lead to further disputes, as Albanians will not accept any lessening in their rights for official use of the Albanian language.

In January 2018, North Macedonia made a decision by passing the law that recognized Albanian as an official language, a law containing 25 articles that addressed the use of Albanian in official institutions.

/a.p./