North Macedonia’s political landscape has been shaken by the Alliance for Albanians (AA) party’s withdrawal from the governing coalition. Citing "unfulfilled promises" after a year in power, the small Albanian party, led by Arben Taravari, announced its return to the opposition. This move, while not jeopardizing the government’s majority, signals potential shifts in ethnic Albanian political dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- The Alliance for Albanians (AA) party, led by Arben Taravari, has exited North Macedonia’s government.
- The party cited "unfulfilled promises" as the reason for its departure.
- Despite the AA’s exit, the government retains a safe majority in parliament.
- The departure necessitates a government reshuffle, including the replacement of Health Minister Arben Taravari.
- The move highlights growing tensions within the ethnic Albanian political bloc and could impact future local elections.
Alliance For Albanians Quits Government
Arben Taravari, head of the Alliance for Albanians, confirmed the party’s decision to leave the government after a party meeting. Taravari stated, "That’s why we decided to return to among the citizens," indicating the party’s intention to operate as an opposition force. This decision follows a year of the AA’s participation in the right-wing Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s government.
Government Stability And Reshuffle
The departure of the AA’s five Members of Parliament does not threaten the stability of the current government. The ruling coalition, formed last June, still commands a comfortable majority with 77 out of 120 legislators. Prime Minister Mickoski is expected to undertake a minor government reshuffle to fill the ministerial and deputy positions previously held by AA members, including Taravari’s role as Health Minister.
Internal Tensions And Future Implications
The AA’s exit comes after weeks of strained relations within the governing alliance. Taravari had expressed doubts about the unification of three other ethnic Albanian parties within the Vlen (It’s Worth It) alliance and voiced concerns about the limited role of Albanians in Mickoski’s government. This stance led to accusations from other Vlen leaders of Taravari attempting to maintain a foot in both the government and the opposition. The stability of North Macedonia’s government traditionally relies on a strong ethnic Albanian partner, given that ethnic Albanians constitute approximately a quarter of the country’s population. The AA’s departure could weaken one of the government’s key pillars and potentially bolster the opposition Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) in the upcoming October local elections, adding pressure on Prime Minister Mickoski.
