While the Balkan countries and some European countries have had issues with
recognizing and supporting the different ethnic communities living within their
borders, Macedonia has, since its independence, recognized the existence of different
communities as a given fact. Since gaining independence, it has constitutionally
guaranteed all citizens freedom of association for the ‘accomplishment and protection
of their political, economic, social, cultural and other rights and beliefs,’ (Article 20 of
the Constitution from 1991), as well as free expression of national belonging (Article 8
of the Constitution). Many political parties were formed representing different
minorities; some of those parties have won seats in the Parliament, local council and
positions of Mayor in different municipalities, and a few of them have entered
government coalitions. Many pre-election coalitions have included minority political
parties and every government coalition has consisted of parties representing ethnic
minorities. Until 2002 this mainly applied to the parties representing Albanians; from
2002 onwards, there have been coalitions formed of parties that represent practically all
nationalities in the country. This paper illustrates how and to what extent minorities’
political parties have entered into electoral and government coalition-building in the
Republic of Macedonia, as well as the coalition dynamics through the years and the
main challenges encountered by minorities in ensuring an effective voice in politics.