RTS against constitutional changes in Republic of North Macedonia: Macedonians are becoming a minority

The inclusion of ethnic Bulgarians in the constitution of North Macedonia as an obligation stemming from the French proposal that overrode Bulgaria’s veto of Skopje’s membership in the EU has not gone without reaction in Belgrade. According to The Geopost, Serbian state television RTS warned that “ethnic Macedonians will become a minority in their country with these changes.”

The analysis begins precisely with the question, “Are Macedonians becoming a minority in their country, even though they make up more than 58 percent according to the latest census?”

“The numbers are not in line with the demands of minority communities as well as the actions of certain ethnic groups.” For example, in Tetovo recently one could see not the flag of North Macedonia, but the flag of Greater Albania. The identity of the Macedonians is disputed by the Bulgarians. And the Greeks challenged them, but it was settled amicably,” the text continues.

North Macedonia could change its constitution again, for the ninth time since independence in 1991, reminds television. “Five years ago, the country changed its name as a condition for continuing the European journey. In this way, Bulgaria now maintains the blockade and demands that Bulgarians be included in the preamble as a national minority.”

RTS quotes political analyst and former minister for European integration in the government of Macedonia, Ivica Bocevski, who says it is not the request of the Bulgarian minority, but blackmail on the part of Sofia.

“So if we are democratized and Europeanized, one day we will probably go to bed as undemocratic Macedonians and become Europeans, democratic Bulgarians.” “That’s about what Sofia thinks,” points out Ivica Bocevski, a political analyst based in Skopje.

RTS says the largest minority, accounting for nearly a quarter of North Macedonia’s population, are Albanians – represented in the constitution and institutions for more than two decades.

Television recalls that “in the very part of the country, in Tetovo, which is considered the capital of Albanians in North Macedonia, a rally was held recently without any sign of the host country.” In their place, the flags of Albania and Greater Albania were hoisted.”

RTS recalls that misdemeanor charges have been filed against the mayor of the municipality of Tetovo and the mayor of the municipality of Skopje Cair for not raising the flag of the state in which they live.

“The authorities of North Macedonia have already made concessions to Albanians – in 2019, the Albanian language was officially declared along with Macedonian,” the analysis says.

Serbian influence in North Macedonia is estimated to be large. In almost all surveys, Serbia is perceived as the friendliest country in the country.

The French proposal was approved last year by the parliaments of both countries to allow the start of EU negotiations with North Macedonia after Bulgaria vetoed it in 2020 for failing to implement the Treaty of Good Friendship signed in 2017. This was the basis for settling disputes related to the Macedonian language and ethnic history.

A week ago in Skopje, the debate on the constitutional amendments resulting from the French proposal began, but the vote on the agenda showed that there was no majority of two-thirds of the votes. In the vote on the agenda, only 70 of the 120 deputies in parliament voted, while at least 80 votes are needed for the adoption of the amendments./The Geopost/