Macedonia Lawmakers Advance Albanian Language Bill

[Mingle]

Macedonia's parliament has given preliminary approval to legislation that would extend the official use of the Albanian language to the entire country.

In its first reading on November 15, lawmakers voted 66-41 in favor of the bill, which is meant in part to make it easier for members of Macedonia's ethnic Albanian minority to communicate with institutions such as municipalities, hospitals, and courts.

Ahead of the vote, lawmaker Ilija Dimovski of the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party described the text as unconstitutional and discriminatory against Macedonian and the other languages spoken by the country’s citizens.

The proposed legislation needs to pass two more readings in the legislature before it is sent to President Gjorge Ivanov for signing.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev had promised to bring in the law when he struck a coalition deal with Albanian parties earlier this year.

It has sparked much criticism from the VMRO DPMNE and others, who have accused Zaev of betraying Macedonia’s national interests.

The current law on languages defines Albanian as an official language, but it has that status only in areas where ethnic Albanians make up at least 20 percent of the population.

Ethnic Albanians make up around one-quarter of Macedonia's 2.1 million population, living mostly in the northwest near the borders with Kosovo and Albania.

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https://www.rferl.org/a/macedonia-al.../28855783.html

[Mingle]

So Albanian is almost certainly going to have official status now?

[MegaArgus1]

What about the other minority languages? I read that that the reason was for a better communication of the Albanians in non Albanian speaking regions. Why the other minority groups do not have the same right? If we are all equal before the constitution.

[Mingle]

What about the other minority languages? I read that that the reason was for a better communication of the Albanians in non Albanian speaking regions. Why the other minority groups do not have the same right? If we are all equal before the constitution.

Because Albanians are a quarter of the population meaning they have much more influence than the other minorities.

I don't know much about Macedonian politics, but didn't the VMRO-DPMNE refuse a coalition with the BDI over the talks of giving official status to Albanian? Isn't the BDI the only party that wants to give Albanian official status? If so, then why is Albanian on the verge of achieving official status if the main parties oppose it?

[MegaArgus1]

Because Albanians are a quarter of the population meaning they have much more influence than the other minorities.

I don't know much about Macedonian politics, but didn't the VMRO-DPMNE refuse a coalition with the BDI over the talks of giving official status to Albanian? Isn't the BDI the only party that wants to give Albanian official status? If so, then why is Albanian on the verge of achieving official status if the main parties oppose it?

Is that an international law which Macedonia has to follow?
Their language is already official were they number 20% and more.
In most countries even where the minorities consist 100% their language is not official in the areas where they live.
What Albanians makes special to impose the will to the majority. Who is behind all this scenario to make their language official to the entire country?

[Mingle]

Is that an international law which Macedonia has to follow?
Their language is already official were they number 20% and more.
In most countries even where the minorities consist 100% their language is not official in the areas where they live.
What Albanians makes special to impose the will to the majority. Who is behind all this scenario to make their language official to the entire country?

I wasn't giving my opinion on the matter. I was just stating that this thing most likely happened because there are a lot of Albanians in the country. I didn't try to justify it, just state why it happened.

[Albobalboa]

Things are moving fast in Macedonia. The split between Albanian and Bulgarian is right around the corner.

[Crn Volk]

Things are moving fast in Macedonia. The split between Albanian and Bulgarian is right around the corner.

There will be no split of Macedonia. If anything, Albania will be split. Regions that Bulgaria claims from Albania...



Remember Bulgaria just forced Albania to recognize a Bulgarian minority in Albania for the first time....

[Albobalboa]

There will be no split of Macedonia. If anything, Albania will be split. Regions that Bulgaria claims from Albania...



Remember Bulgaria just forced Albania to recognize a Bulgarian minority in Albania for the first time....

The only ones upset about a Bulgarian minority being recognized are the Macedonians. You couldn't offer a better deal so there were more benefits with recognizing that minority and getting potential benefits for the road to the EU, rather than sticking to "Macedonians". After all, the more minorities recognized the better for Albanians, you can fight amongst yourselves.

It's clear from your comment that it wasn't meant to be realistic or factual though, just an expression of butthurt. The Albanian language will now have to be spoken by many more Macedonians if they wish to remain in the public sector. At the same time your church wants to become a "daughter church" of the Bulgarian orthodox church. A very clear divide is happening as your neighbors both east and west of you are gaining ground while you, meaning Macedonians, are losing it. What surprises me is the pace of all this, I would've thought these things would take decades, instead major changes are happening quite rapidly and it will be interesting what Macedonia will look like by the end of this government term.

[Mingle]

Anyone know how this is coming to pass? Didn't the VMRO-DPMNE reject a coalition with the BDI on the basis of opposing giving Albanian official status? If so, then how is Albanian on the verge of achieving official status when nobody but the BDI supports it (afaik)?