The recent interview with Blue Europe member Sonja Stojadinovic on Cross-border Talks[1] explores the implications of North Macedonia’s recent elections: the centre-right VMRO-DPMNE party’s victory reflects public dissatisfaction with the ruling left-wing SDSM. Key issues discussed include:
- Corruption: SDSM failed to dismantle the entrenched corruption from previous regimes, comprising also nepotism in the public sector, leading to public disillusionment.
- Economic challenges: The party’s inability to address economic challenges and improve living standards contributed to its defeat.
- Identity politics: Controversial policies regarding Macedonian identity and disputes for the EU accession with Bulgaria and Greece also played a role in the election results, leading to a more polarized political scenario.
- Ethnic issues: Widespread corruption and family ties among current Albanian and Macedonian political figures have further contributed to the ethnically divided society.
Future challenges in a complex scenario
Looking ahead, the new government faces significant challenges, including managing relations with the EU and addressing integration concerns; tackling economic reforms, reducing emigration and ensuring better governance; restoring public confidence by fighting corruption and improving transparency; and strengthening the judiciary, which has long received low marks in European Commission reports.
Stojadinovic emphasizes that while the victory of the VMRO-DPMNE marks a change, the underlying problems of corruption and economic instability remain pressing, along with a blurred vision of the country’s foreign policy direction. The interview underscores the importance of systemic change and effective governance for North Macedonia’s future stability and growth.
References
- Vladimir Mitev (May 2024), “Sonja Stojadinovic: The Macedonian left-wing SDSM lost the election, because it did not dismantle the Gruevski regime of nepotism and harmed the Macedonian identity.” Cross Border Talks. Available at https://www.crossbordertalks.eu/2024/05/13/stojadinovic-mk-elections-en/ ↑
