Ymeri: An Albanian at the helm of the Government of North Macedonia a good message for countries in the region, too

Political analyst from Pristina, Visar Ymeri, assesses for Kosovo Online that the citizens of North Macedonia in these elections are deciding whether or not to continue on the European path because this country has shown that coexistence is possible even after armed conflicts.

"These elections are very important for North Macedonia because it is a story about the future of the state. It's being decided whether North Macedonia will continue on the path to the European Union or whether that will change with a nationalist or chauvinistic regime. If North Macedonia's European path is interrupted, it will be a big problem not only for this country but for the entire region," Ymeri evaluates.

He emphasizes that it is not realistic to expect the Self-Determination Movement to participate in the elections or for Albin Kurti to have any role in those elections.

"Of course, there are some members of Self-Determination who come from North Macedonia and have some political ambitions, and maybe some of them will participate. But, I don't believe Kurti will have any role in those elections," Ymeri says.

He points out that it is already certain that among Albanian parties, the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), Ali Ahmeti, has the best chance. He cites the division within one of the larger Albanian parties as the reason.

"Some want to go with the opposition, while others don't want to form pre-election coalitions with anyone," Ymeri says.

Commenting on how much greater success Albanian parties will achieve due to the fact that, for the first time in the country's history, an Albanian, Xhaferi, leads the technical government, Ymeri emphasizes that it is the biggest gain for North Macedonia.

"When viewed through democratic eyes, especially from the perspective of Europe and the United States, it looks very good. A society that was in armed conflict in 2000 has come to the point where an Albanian can become prime minister, even if only with a technical mandate. But, I think it is also a good message for all peoples in the region to start thinking, to start looking at politics through different eyes, not just ethnic or national ones, but also through civic eyes. I think North Macedonia is an example of how this can be seen through civic eyes. In the end, it's not so important whether the prime minister is Albanian or Macedonian, but whether they work for North Macedonia or not," Ymeri emphasizes.

When asked how the future government should look, Ymeri says he would like it to be similar to the one North Macedonia has had so far.

"I would like a government similar to the one North Macedonia has already had. I think the Social Democratic Party has done a very good job since Zoran Zaev first became prime minister, and then Kovacevski. Macedonia is now one of the best multi-ethnic democracies in the region. I would like them to continue like that and for other countries to be so tolerant toward others and to together, in coexistence, build their countries," Ymeri concludes.