Arben Taravari, the leader of the Alliance for Albanians, has officially withdrawn his party from the ruling coalition in North Macedonia. The decision, announced after a party leadership meeting held on May 12, marks a significant shift in the political landscape ahead of the October local elections.
“The Central Presidency and branch leaders have decided to move into the opposition,” Taravari declared.
“We are returning to the people.”
He openly admitted that the promised reforms had not been delivered, stating:
“Citizens are rightfully criticizing us for not fulfilling the changes we promised. That’s why we’ve chosen to return to them and seek their trust once again.”
Key Points:
- The Alliance for Albanians exits government due to unfulfilled promises and public dissatisfaction.
- Taravari emphasized growing frustration among Albanian voters, particularly due to the use of the ethnic “Balancer” system and delays in EU integration.
- The move follows a statement by Deputy PM Izet Mexhiti, who had predicted Taravari’s departure and questioned the coherence of remaining in government while opposing the DUI (Democratic Union for Integration).
- The Alliance for Albanians will now run independently in October’s local elections, while other VLEN coalition partners plan to transform the alliance into a unified party—excluding Taravari’s party.
- Despite the split, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has asserted that his government remains stable and holds a strong majority.
Taravari also confirmed ongoing communication with Mickoski, noting that another meeting is expected soon, though the future of cooperation remains uncertain.
