The price of the Government – zero denars for the Macedonian language
Aleksandar Nikolovski
At the formation of the government coalition SDSM – DUI – Alliance for Albanians, the question was asked – What is the price of the Government? How did Albanian political parties decide to violate the “winner with winner” rule, which, by the way, was established at DUI’s request. It becomes clear that this price is interesting – paid excessively in some places, while, in other places, there are cuts from the basic needs
Of course, the first thing we saw was the law on languages, with which it intends to introduce bilingualism in Macedonia and to impose the Albanian language on the entire territory of Macedonia. This is not only contrary to the Constitution, but also against the reality in Macedonia. Yes, Albanians are a significant percentage of the population in Macedonia, but they live only in part of the territory of Macedonia, and are in a far smaller percentage than the Macedonians. Thus, the imposition of the Albanian language to be used throughout the territory of Macedonia, even in areas where there is no Albanians, is nothing but political rape! The estimates were clear – Zaev and SDSM wanted a government at all costs, and DUI desperately needed to correct the broken rating given that in the 2016 election there was the largest drop compared to any party – they dropped by 50 percent, from 20 to 10 MPs!
I am not against the Albanian language; on the contrary, I think that all conditions should be allowed for our fellow Albanian citizens to use their language to the highest possible level, and in all forms in the communities they live in, as well as in the institutions with which they communicate, in which they work and realize their daily needs. But to impose a language in areas where there is no one who speaks this language is nothing but an attempt for political manipulation, which I am sure not only will not succumb to the citizens, but will punish it in the next elections.
The entire Macedonian public raised against this unconstitutional decision. Numerous experts of the field, linguists, professors, and other social activists raised their voices and made strong criticism. In conditions when Prime Minister Zaev desperately needed the support of anyone, he decided in his style – to lie! Thus, on September 11 of last year, he held a meeting with the Institute for Macedonian Language, where he promised things that every government should do without much pomp, even under normal conditions, but Zaev decided to publicly promise them. He promised 11 points related to establishing a fund to support the affirmation of the Macedonian language at foreign universities and to open and support Macedonian language teachers at foreign universities in the EU, to establish another support fund for the preparation of scientific works dedicated to the Macedonian language from all areas, as well as other initiatives that will significantly improve the work of the Institute of Macedonian Language.
Five months later, not only that none is this is done, but exactly zero denars are provided for the protection and promotion of the Macedonian language in the budget of the Republic of Macedonia for 2018, in the part of the Ministry of Culture! So the Macedonian public has been deceived, the Institute of Macedonian Language has been deceived, as well as everyone who naively believed in Zaev’s stories.
But, in order for the tragedy to be even greater, in that same budget of the Ministry of Culture, there are 4 million euros for the Albanian Theater and 4 million euros for theater and library in Tetovo. Just so there’s no confusion, I have nothing against Albanian theater or library for our fellow Albanians, they should have them! They should be top-notch, have the best working conditions and represent the center of the cultural life of the Albanians in Macedonia. And my utmost respect does to DUI- they are doing their jobs. Does it mean that they will restore their ratings? We will see, but they are obviously very successful in imposing their policies, projects and priorities in Zaev’s government. The question is – what do SDSM and Zaev do, for which Macedonians voted, above all. To have ZERO Denars for Macedonian language and to push an unconstitutional law on bilingualism does not mean anything but that Prime Minister Zaev is ready to sell the Macedonians and the Macedonian language and redefine the state!
In conditions where very subtle talks are conducted with Greece, in which, according to everything that can be read in the media, Greek politicians massively attack the Macedonian national identity, from which the inseparable part is the language, giving such ‘own-goals’ at home only shows how the Government has no concept! In the list of priorities in the first place is to be in power, all the places below on the list are empty and can be filled by anyone, only if it allows them to remain in power! Obviously, now is not the time to think about Macedonia and Macedonians.