14 - Macedonia/North Macedonia since 1989

Summary

Independent Macedonia’s political development has been shaped both by the international environment, such as its involvement with the European Union (EU), and by internal crises, such as the 2001 Albanian insurgency and the 2014 “wiretapping scandal”. Integrating the Albanian minority remains a fundamental challenge, as does, recently, ratifying and implementing the “Prespa Agreement” ending the prolonged “name dispute” with Greece. Although the Agreement opens the promise of Macedonia’s membership in the EU and NATO, some Macedonians consider “North Macedonia” to derogate the country’s national identity. Since the 2001 Ohrid Accord, Macedonian democratic evolution has been reflected in institutional development, including the party and electoral systems, and specific policies concerning human rights and the media. The erosion of media freedoms and abuses of political power were revealed following the incumbency of VMRO-DPMNE Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski (2006–2016), a rule that resonated with the trends of “illiberal democracy” elsewhere in the region. The current government of Zoran Zaev has begun restoring certain democratic norms, such as the activity of civil society organizations, and the confidence of international institutions, but persistent problems of corruption and ethnic polarization remain.