For Macedonia’s ethnic Albanian politicians, it’s about power, not policy
Due to the vagaries of Macedonia’s political and electoral system, Talat Xhaferi, the former speaker of the parliament and a former minister of defense, has now – presumably – taken an oath of office to defend and support Macedonia as a caretaker and interim prime minister for the next 100 days.
Looking at social media, however, one could be forgiven for thinking he had just won a normal election and was now ready to serve for four years.
Setting aside the bravado and bragging on social media that, to sum it all up “Albanians now have three prime ministers in the region,” it’s worth asking the question, which I have done on many occasions, of what Macedonia’s ethnic Albanian politicians actually stand for other than putting ethnic Albanians in public sector jobs and the so-called “European orientation” of Macedonia (all sensible leaders in Macedonia, left, right, center, are for the “European orientation” of Macedonia The only reason that SDS and DUI constantly say it is because they are simply trying to insinuate that VMRO is not, which is untrue). The only answer I can reliably come up with is “power.” Instead of talking about practical policies that will be good for all of Macedonia’s citizens, instead of talking about things like job creation, strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption, and providing excellent education for the children, the only thing they can talk about is “Albanians Rule All Over the World!!!!” And that is not a policy, nor will it produce good for anyone.
Because it was for raw power that Ali Ahmeti, a former Kosovo terrorist sidelined by the winners in that war, declared war on Macedonia, originally attempting to literally tear the country in two but then quickly claiming it was for “rights.” Because it was for raw power that Talat Xhaferi, a member of the Macedonian Army sworn to defend Macedonia, jumped sides and joined Ahmeti and his so-called “National Liberation Army” fighting against the men he had just been fighting with (and it’s always worth asking the question, with the title of that so-called “army” just what kind of “national liberation” were they seeking?).
Xhaferi is, at his core and like his mentor Ali Ahmeti, a treacherous, back-stabbing, toxic terrorist.
For his part, Ahmeti has called for “unity, urging people to extend their hands to one another, leaving behind divisive issues,” according to Republika.com. Which is odd considering he launched his entire career based on killing Macedonians in the 2001 war, a war which Xhaferi happily joined in on. Ironically, Ahmeti, in that same media article, rhetorically asked “Should we leave a European Macedonia or a pro-Russian Macedonia to our nieces and nephews?” which is the height of irony when he has perfected the art of nepotism (root word: nephew), giving public sector handouts and favorable treatment to a variety of his own nephews.
“Peace or conflict?” Ahmeti asked. I submit to you that a man who started a war to rip a country in half has no business asking these questions, let alone any business in the public sector. And yet Ahmeti is, by all measures, a quite powerful man in Macedonian politics, aided and abetted by the US State Department and the vast EU foreign policy bureaucracy. Why? Because he has delivered to the US State Department and the vast EU foreign policy bureaucracy exactly what they wanted: for Macedonia to change its name, identity, and much more. And he has become, along with those around him, quite wealthy in the process.
One X user said that Xhaferi being installed as prime minster in Macedonia was an “Obama moment.” That X user obviously has not studied race relations in the USA under Obama which declined severely, as the professional racists in America, both black and white, used Obama’s presidency to press for more power and wealth for themselves, not caring one bit about black Americans or the relationship between black and white America.
If Xhaferi’s appointment as limited prime minister is an “Obama moment” for Macedonia, then expect the relationship between Macedonians and Macedonia’s ethnic Albanians to decline. Fortunately, he is only there for 100 days and, most polls state VMRO will win the next elections. The question will be, will they be able to form a government? Say what you will about VMRO, but at least they have policies.
Ali Ahmeti and the leadership of his party are centered solely on political power, state and public sector welfare, and in remaining in power to get wealthy. They do not have a policy agenda, and they certainly do not actually care about their own constituency, Macedonia’s ethnic Albanians. In fact, the way Ali Ahmeti and the leadership of his party look at Macedonia’s ethnic Albanians is the exact same way the leaders of many of America’s progressive and so-called black leaders like Ibram X. Kendi and the so-called “reverend” Al Sharpton look at black Americans: these leaders think their constituents are stupid and lazy. So, they say to them, “Give me power and I’ll give you free stuff at public expense.” It is incredibly condescending and yet this is the attitude of Ahmeti, Xhaferi, Grubi, and many others. No agenda, just power.
Granted, like Arben Xhaferi of DPA, and Imer Imeri of PDP before him, once the leaders go, so goes the party. It can’t happen soon enough.