Progress achieved in 2016 at risk – protracted political crisis hurting the country and its people

I am back in Skopje with one message – the progress achieved in 2016 will be put at risk without political stability. A protracted political crisis is damaging the country and hurting its people.

Two years of political crisis is not only slowing down reforms, but also threatening to take on an inter-ethnic and regional dimension, which the country cannot afford, nor the region for that matter.

To preserve democracy, election results must be respected

The early elections in December 2016 were widely regarded as an opportunity to turn the page and move forward. That has not happened yet.

Citizens turned out to vote in large numbers, some cast votes across ethnic lines and new parties gained parliamentary representation.  The OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) assessed that election day was generally well administered and proceeded without major incidents.

The post-election period, however, has proven challenging, marked by a new political impasse, following President Ivanov’s decision not to give a mandate to form a government to the opposition although it had secured a majority in Parliament.   

Many, including myself, have expressed deep concern about these recent developments. The country’s institutions must find a way to move forward based on the result of the December elections, forming a government according to democratic principles and standards and in compliance with the rule of law.

This is the time for political leaders to step up to their responsibilities and demonstrate that they are acting in the long-term interest of the country and not just in the interest of their party.

Fundamental rules of democracy must prevail

Respect for the fundamental rules of democracy, including majority rule in accordance with the legal framework, is what people expect after they cast their vote.

Different countries across the OSCE region follow different practices and have different models of government, but the general rule applied throughout the OSCE space is that whenever a political party or coalition holds a majority of parliamentary seats, that is the one that takes on government responsibilities.

Don’t let inflammatory messages fuel inter-ethnic tensions

Recent inflammatory messages of some political actors, claims that the unity and sovereignty of the State are under threat and ethnically-based incidents and slogans are causes for concern.

At the same time, leaders in the region should be responsible and abstain from statements or other initiatives that could cause the situation to deteriorate. Tensions between States on account of inter-ethnic relations and national minority issues are not new to the OSCE. Based on practical experience dealing with these issues the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) developed the Bolzano Recommendations on National Minorities in Inter-State Relations in 2008. These recommendations serve as a reference guide for addressing the questions concerning national minorities that arise in the context of inter-State relations in a way that protects and promotes the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, prevents conflict and strengthens good neighborly relations.

Let’s not forget that the international community played a key role in helping restore stability and security in the country at a time of division and unrest. As a part of this collective effort, since 2001, the OSCE remains committed to supporting the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement (OFA), which secured peace and paved the road for improving rights of communities in the country while maintaining the unity of the state.

The OFA remains a solid basis for the protection and advancement of communities’ rights. Yet, cohesive inter-ethnic relations require continued commitment to diversity and sustained attention and efforts by the State institutions and stakeholders. The OSCE Mission to Skopje and the HCNM are ready to continue providing assistance based on OSCE commitments and best practices. Good inter-ethnic relations are essential to the stability not only of this country, but of the region as a whole.

The much-remembered first HCNM, Max Van der Stoel, stated that integrating diversity and building pluralistic societies required realizing that “minority and majority interests are not mutually exclusive” and that “the protection and promotion of one identity does not have to come at the expense of the other”.

Interest of citizens comes first

It is now time for the country’s institutions and political leaders to act in the interest of all citizens, who share the hope for a stable, prosperous and democratic future regardless of their ethnic background.

It is now time for the political leaders to do everything in their power to prevent an escalation of tensions and deepening of the crisis.

It is now time to fully focus on rule of law, independence of the judiciary, freedom of expression and freedom of the media, democratic governance, free and fair electoral processes, inter-ethnic relations, education, and capacity building for state institutions. The OSCE can assist you. That is our role and I encourage you to take advantage of it.

You live in a region rich in diversity. The OSCE HCNM once commended the local population, of all ethnicities, for the remarkable unity it has shown on different occasions. Do not forget the importance and power of that unity. It should be the inspiration for moving forward.

The author is OSCE Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier.​

This article has been published in local languages in Utrinski Vesnik and Koha.