President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, has refused to sign the decree mandating that licenses in kindergartens be issued in both Macedonian and Albanian. This decision has sparked significant criticism, particularly from the main opposition parties, the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI) and the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (LSDM), reports Sinjali.
BDI: A Coordinated Attack on Albanian Language and Rights
BDI has labeled the president’s veto as a blatant attack on the Albanian language and the rights of Albanians in North Macedonia.
“The Democratic Union for Integration (BDI) strongly condemns the scandalous veto by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova against bilingualism. This is an open attack on the Albanian language and an attempt to undermine the rights of Albanians in North Macedonia,” a statement from the party read.
BDI also accused the VMRO-DPMNE-led government of pursuing a revanchist and anti-Albanian agenda with the support of the VLEN party. The statement further criticized VLEN leader Afrim Gashi for preparing the public opinion against the Albanian language and supporting actions that deny Albanian rights.
“Albanian is not a bargaining chip for political deals! It is a constitutional right that cannot be compromised. We urge all Albanians, civil society, academics, and democratic forces to mobilize against this shameful strategy. BDI will not remain idle and will use all political and legal mechanisms to stop this anti-Albanian madness,” the party asserted.
LSDM Supports President’s Decision, Criticizes the Government
Meanwhile, LSDM released a statement applauding the president’s decision not to sign the decree. The party urged the government to withdraw the proposed amendments, which it claims are unconstitutional and were adopted in violation of parliamentary procedures.
“We welcome President Siljanovska-Davkova’s refusal to sign the decree, and we call on the government to abandon its intentions. Articles 9 and 10 of the proposed amendments introduce bilingual licenses in the field of child protection. This provision overlaps with another law regulating language use and contradicts the Constitution,” the LSDM statement noted.
Ongoing Debate on Bilingualism
The refusal to sign the decree adds to the broader debate over the use of the Albanian language in North Macedonia. While BDI views this as a step back in achieving equality, LSDM and VMRO-DPMNE argue the amendments conflict with the existing legal framework.
The issue of bilingualism remains a sensitive topic, reflecting the delicate balance in the country’s interethnic relations.
