North Macedonia, the language issue continues to divide

In April and May 2026 protests by students of Albanian nationality took place in Skopje, demanding that the bar exam be taken in Albanian.

In North Macedonia, studying is possible in Albanian language at several state and private universities. On the other hand, the Law on the Bar Exam stipulates that it must be taken exclusively in Macedonian language and its Cyrillic script as a professional exam, as well as the legal obligation of active knowledge of the Macedonian language as a fundamental constitutional requirement for all court officials.

Since 2019 the status of the Albanian language is officialized: in practice, this means that citizens have the right to communicate with state offices (ministries, courts, public enterprises) in Albanian language, with the institutions being obliged to provide translation and bilingual forms and documents.

The authorities announced a three-month deadline in which working groups will have to harmonize the legislation. The government promises that, in addition to the bar exam, all professional exams and licenses will be available in the mother tongue, while students warn that if the promise is not fulfilled in practice, Skopje will face a new wave of even more massive protests.

Full article on OBCT: https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/en/cp_article/north-macedonia-the-languag... by  Aleksandar Samardjiev Tetovo

Photo credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ss._Cyril_and_Methodius_Universi...