Albanian opposition slams North Macedonia’s government for drifting from EU path

The Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), North Macedonia’s leading Albanian opposition party, has launched a fierce critique of Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s VMRO-DPMNE-led government, branding it a “government of division and defeat.” The DUI accuses the administration of fostering a mono-ethnic power structure, prioritising nationalist rhetoric over inclusivity, and jeopardizing the country’s European Union (EU) integration aspirations.

Stalled EU integration: a broken promise

The DUI argues that Mickoski’s government has failed to advance North Macedonia’s EU integration, a cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy. Despite public commitments to European alignment, the process remains stalled due to a constitutional impasse with Bulgaria, which demands recognition of its minority in North Macedonia’s constitution. Mickoski’s refusal to comply without guarantees of EU membership approval has created a deadlock. During his May 2025 visit to Skopje, European Council President António Costa warned that this stalemate risks isolating North Macedonia as neighbors like Albania and Montenegro progress toward EU membership.

Costa faces resistance in Skopje as Mickoski rejects constitutional changes

Mickoski himself acknowledged the challenges at the Munich Security Conference on 16 February, describing EU integration as a “moving target” plagued by double standards and bilateral disputes. He lamented that North Macedonia, despite aligning its foreign and defence policies with EU standards and meeting NATO defense spending requirements, faces ongoing demands – such as constitutional amendments – that in his words offer no guaranteed path to membership. “We as a nation have done everything we could, suffered many humiliations, and accepted many bad agreements for the sake of our European perspective,” Mickoski stated.

The DUI contends that this stagnation reflects not only external pressures but also the government’s lack of a clear roadmap or political will to navigate these challenges, leaving North Macedonia at a standstill while regional peers advance.

A mono-ethnic power structure

Central to the DUI’s critique is the accusation that Mickoski’s government is consolidating a “mono-national project” that marginalises ethnic Albanians, who constitute roughly 25% of North Macedonia’s population. The DUI points to inflammatory rhetoric, including Mickoski’s dismissal of Albania’s EU prospects, as evidence of an anti-Albanian agenda that undermines inter-ethnic harmony. Such statements, they argue, erode the multi-ethnic fabric essential to the country’s stability, a legacy of the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement that ended ethnic conflict and established power-sharing mechanisms.

The DUI also highlights the government’s influence over the judiciary, prosecution, and segments of civil society, creating a power structure that prioritises ethnic Macedonian interests. The recent exit of the Alliance for Albanians (AA) from Mickoski’s coalition, reported by BIRN on 13 May, underscores these tensions. The AA cited unfulfilled promises and marginalisation as reasons for their departure, weakening the government’s legitimacy among Albanian voters and exposing cracks in its coalition.

Economic mismanagement and social injustice

The DUI disputes the government’s claims of economic progress, labeling them as “fictitious” and reliant on manipulated statistics. Rising inflation, stagnant wages, and a growing brain drain of young talent paint a grim picture of economic mismanagement. The opposition argues that social justice has been neglected, with state institutions failing to address citizens’ basic needs. This focus on pseudo-patriotic rhetoric over substantive policy solutions, the DUI claims, exacerbates socioeconomic challenges and alienates marginalized communities, particularly ethnic Albanians.

In response to these grievances, the DUI reports a growing movement among Albanian politicians and citizens to form a new political and national front. Rooted in principles of equality, dignity, and European integration, this front aims to counter the government’s divisive policies and restore hope for a pluralistic North Macedonia. Despite internal differences within the Albanian political bloc, the DUI positions itself as the leading voice for Albanian interests, especially as local elections approach in October 2025.

The DUI also criticizes the VLEN coalition, the government’s ethnic Albanian partner, accusing it of trading Albanian dignity for political privileges. A poor electoral performance by VLEN could further bolster the DUI’s claim to represent Albanian interests, potentially reshaping the political landscape.

A shifting political landscape

The 8 May 2024 elections marked a seismic shift in North Macedonia’s politics, with VMRO-DPMNE’s landslide victory ending the DUI’s 20-year tenure in government (except for 2006–2008) alongside the centre-left SDSM. With 58 parliamentary seats, VMRO-DPMNE enjoys a stable majority, reducing reliance on coalition partners compared to the previous SDSM-led governments. Their choice of VLEN over the DUI as their ethnic Albanian partner signals a deliberate shift in coalition dynamics, potentially diminishing Albanian influence in governance.

However, VMRO-DPMNE’s history of governance, tainted by allegations of power abuse and a political crisis that led to their 2017 ouster, raises concerns about their ability to govern inclusively. The AA’s departure from the coalition highlights vulnerabilities, while the DUI’s role in opposition provides a critical counterbalance, ensuring that Albanian voices remain heard in a VMRO-DPMNE-dominated landscape.

The DUI’s scathing critique paints a troubling picture of a government prioritizing nationalist rhetoric over unity, economic progress, and European integration. As North Macedonia grapples with internal divisions, stalled EU talks, and socioeconomic challenges, the opposition’s role becomes vital in advocating for inclusivity and accountability. With local elections looming, the DUI’s emerging Albanian front could reshape the country’s political future, challenging Mickoski’s government to address the needs of all citizens in a multi-ethnic state. The path forward requires balancing national aspirations with the demands of a diverse society – a test that will define North Macedonia’s trajectory in the years ahead.

Additional sources: BIRN. Edited by a.k.

File photo. People walk in front of the billboards of the Ali Ahmeti (C-L), leader of the Ethnic Albanians Party DUI and Dimitar Kovacevski (C-R), leader of the ruling party SDSM, one day before the Parliamentary and Presidential elections in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia, 7 May 2024. [EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI]