Macedonia Lawmakers Advance Albanian Language Bill

**Crn Volk** · 11-19-2017, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by 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)?

From the story above;

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

Let's see how it pans out. I'm sure Ivanov will get extreme pressure from the West again to give the green light to the law. It will however be modified to make it constitutional. Here's what the constitution says;

1. The Macedonian language, written using its Cyrillic alphabet, is the official language throughout the Republic of Macedonia and in the international relations of the Republic of Macedonia.
Any other language spoken by at least 20 percent of the population is also an official language, written using its alphabet, as specified below. Any official personal documents of citizens speaking an official language other than Macedonian shall also be issued in that language, in addition to the Macedonian language, in accordance with the law. Any person living in a unit of local self-government in which at least 20 percent of the population speaks an official language other than Macedonian may use that official language to communicate with the regional office of the central government with responsibility for that municipality; such an office shall reply in that language in addition to Macedonian. Any person may use any official language to communicate with a main office of the central government, which shall reply in that language in addition to Macedonian.
In the organs of the Republic of Macedonia, any official language other than Macedonian may be used in accordance with the law. In the units of local self-government where at least 20 percent of the population speaks a particular language, that language and its alphabet shall be used as an official language in addition to the Macedonian language and the Cyrillic alphabet. With respect to languages spoken by less than 20 percent of the population of a unit of local self-government, the local authorities shall decide on their use in public bodies.

**Crn Volk** · 11-20-2017, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by Albobalboa

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.

No butthurt here, just a response to your troll post.

You know very well these changes are all an effort to get Macedonia into NATO ASAP and therefore fend off growing Russian influence. The name will be changed, more rights will be given to Albanians and we have already buried the hatchet with Bulgaria.
Once we're in NATO next year, our borders are secure. The last chance for a split of Macedonia was in 2001. This was rejected by all sides and we all have to live with a multicultural, multi-ethnic Macedonia within it's current borders. Ali Ahmeti has unequivocally rejected a split of Macedonia earlier this year. We are all ruled by the leftist/green/gay West now, so we must join hands and sing kumbaya together

**~~Albobalboa~~** · 11-20-2017, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Sokol

No butthurt here, just a response to your troll post.

You know very well these changes are all an effort to get Macedonia into NATO ASAP and therefore fend off growing Russian influence. The name will be changed, more rights will be given to Albanians and we have already buried the hatchet with Bulgaria.
Once we're in NATO next year, our borders are secure. The last chance for a split of Macedonia was in 2001. This was rejected by all sides and we all have to live with a multicultural, multi-ethnic Macedonia within it's current borders. Ali Ahmeti has unequivocally rejected a split of Macedonia earlier this year. We are all ruled by the leftist/green/gay West now, so we must join hands and sing kumbaya together

The split won't be military, it will be a cultural split which in the end is likely to end in the country agreeing to split. No such thing as burying the hatchet in the balkans, the Bulgarians don't have their sights set on an ally as you weren't a threat to begin with. They want to regain historical lands. You are already changing your history books.

**Voskos** · 11-20-2017, 11:12 AM

Why is FYROM still refusing to change its name considering the latest developments? I'm starting to think some pro-Russian lobbies are objecting so that the country never joins NATO.

ofc i could be wrong

**~~Petros Houhoulis~~** · 11-20-2017, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

Well, I am sorry but we are not really interested to push for the Greek language to become official in your fiefdom. Maybe you should make that offer to the Turks, I'm pretty sure they would welcome you back into the Ottoman empire, although that would imply that you would have to make... Arabic the next official language in your fiefdom.