Today, the Constitutional Court of North Macedonia is set to review the constitutionality of the Law on the Use of Languages, a pivotal piece of legislation that mandates the use of the Albanian language alongside Macedonian in all public institutions. The law, which has been in effect since 2019, has sparked intense political debates and legal challenges since its adoption in 2018.
The review of this law has gained significant attention, with the court focusing on Article 9, which ensures the use of both Macedonian and Albanian in judicial, administrative, and governmental procedures. The law also specifies the use of both Macedonian’s Cyrillic alphabet and the Albanian alphabet in these contexts, affecting a broad range of public services and institutions.
Political leaders have weighed in on the issue. Deputy Prime Minister Izet Mexhidi emphasized that there is no dispute over the Albanian language, while opposition MP Arbër Ademi warned that repealing the law would have severe consequences, potentially undermining both the Constitution and the Ohrid Agreement, which aims to ensure the rights of ethnic minorities.
The law, which has been under scrutiny by the Constitutional Court for five years, has received 13 legal challenges from citizens, political parties, and associations since its enactment.
The court’s decision on the law’s constitutionality will have far-reaching effects on the country’s language policies and ethnic relations, making today’s ruling a critical moment for North Macedonia’s political landscape.
