Bozinovski: Albanian parties in North Macedonia give themselves greater legitimacy through support from Kurti or Rama

Vladimir Bozinovski, a professor of political science and program director at the Institute for Political Research in Skopje, does not believe that the pan-Balkan plan of the Self-Determination Movement will infiltrate during the elections and he says that it is all about an attempt by ethnic Albanian parties in North Macedonia to gain greater legitimacy through the support of Albin Kurti or Edi Rama.

"It is more about our politicians seeking legitimacy than Albin Kurti trying to impose influence here. We have the case where the DUI party seeks support from Albanian President Edi Rama and receives it, and now opposition parties seek indirect support for greater legitimacy in front of their voters through holding meetings and obtaining support from Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. So, it comes down to the support that ethnic Albanian parties think they need greater legitimacy, not that Rama or Kurti are trying to exert influence in Macedonia," Bozinovski says for Kosovo Online.

Commenting on the pan-Balkan concept of the Self-Determination Movement, Bozinovski assesses it as an attempt by this party and Albin Kurti to assert themselves or connect with certain events in Albania, but primarily in North Macedonia.

"Honestly, I don't see it as the plan of Self-Determination; I see it more as a plan for Self-Determination to assert itself or connect with certain events in Albania, but primarily in Macedonia. Certain structures, as a perception, are pushing this forward, but I don't believe in such a thing," Bozinovski says.

He doubts that such a project could infiltrate during the pre-election campaign in North Macedonia.

"I don't believe it can infiltrate, but you know, often here, parties and leaders of Albanians who originate from Macedonia seek a certain, I wouldn't call it support, but legitimacy toward voters through certain connections they have with Albanian politicians from Albania or Kosovo. So, our politicians here seek legitimacy more by meeting with Edi Rama or Albin Kurti than Rama or Kurti trying to have any influence in Macedonia," Bozinovski claims.

When asked if the pan-Balkan affinities of the Self-Determination Movement and Albin Kurti are aided by the fact that an Albanian, Talat Xhaferi, heads the technical Government of North Macedonia, this expert says that Xhaferi's appointment was the result of political bargaining.

"The fact that Talat Xhaferi – an Albanian – is at the helm of the government is the result of an agreement between Ali Ahmeti and Zoran Zaev. In order for Zoran Zaev to form the Government in 2020, in a situation where they had an equal number of MPs with VMRO DPMNE, it was clear that he would have to accept all the demands that the DUI party would set. One of those demands was that Talat Xhaferi be the Prime Minister," Bozinovski concludes.