By Xhabir Deralla

The support of SDSM for Levica’s initiative to impeach the Speaker of Parliament, Afrim Gashi, has placed the party further to the right than VMRO-DPMNE and ZNAM. The political alliance with Levica is, at best, shortsighted. But it’s more than that. Any initiative from such an (ultra-right) party like Levica should be an unacceptable option for any SDSM. Unfortunately, this partnership with Levica has finally (re)defined the Macedonian Social Democrats as a political entity that too easily abandons the values and policies it built in the years before and after the fall of Gruevski’s regime. Should the Colorful Revolution be mentioned here? Or the Citizens are Coming movement?

And this is not all.

Support for nationalism, islamophobia, and anti-Western orientation

One of the seven reasons Levica provided for the initiative to remove Gashi is related to an alleged “violation of the rules for the use of state insignia.” According to Levica, “in the plenary hall, contrary to the Law, two other flags – those of NATO and the EU – stand illegally.”

If for no other reason, this open and entirely anti-Western position should have been more than a good reason to withdraw support.

That is, of course, assuming the Social Democrats have decided to abandon the principles of multiculturalism, equality, and equity. Exactly, the impeachment attempt is not only nationalist, it’s also anti-EU and anti-NATO.

What (didn’t) the new allies Levica and SDSM gain from this political decision?

Creating discord within the ruling coalition at the expense of Albanians is at least one of the obvious intentions. It seems, the goal is to portray VMRO-DPMNE as traitors that protects an Albanian nationalist and Islamic fundamentalist who behaves like a thug and abuses the office and state resources. That goal was certainly not achieved, and it can hardly be said that serious arguments were offered. At least the arguments could not be directed towards the Speaker of Parliament. It is clear in which direction accountability could be sought for the incident with the Kosovar president and Gashi’s “wedding party trip.”

Mickoski and VMRO-DPMNE made a political decision, protected their main partner in power, and their membership, with small ripples that won’t last even three days, will remain disciplined and loyal, even though they will continue to hate Albanians and Muslims no less. There’s not much to say about DUI’s decision – Ahmeti is an old wolf in politics, and in no scenario could it be expected for DUI to support Levica’s initiative. Even ZNAM – the hardline nationalist wing of SDSM – made a more mature political decision than the party’s parent organization.

Gashi’s assessment is also correct: the impeachment is politically motivated, and the text itself is full of Albanophobia and Islamophobia. He only missed to mention that the reasoning also contains anti-Western positions. Indeed, half of the seven points in Levica’s reasoning are based on open nationalist and religious intolerance. Plus, anti-Western positions. Is this what SDSM voted for? Really?

Political Opportunism and Poor Judgment

In short, SDSM will not win over ethnic Macedonians (if that was the goal), especially not those who belong to the hardcore nationalist base of VMRO-DPMNE supporters. Nor the fascists of Levica. Nor will it protect the party from further erosion.

On the contrary, if SDSM turns to nationalism, there will always be more attractive nationalist parties, at least because they are in power. The logic is: Why wear knock-offs when you can have the real deal? Bad judgment – even in the context of political opportunism.

With such political decisions, SDSM can only continue to decline. The Social Democrats should have been clear about what was happening, even if they didn’t have a Fatmir Bytyqi in their ranks, a high-ranking party official, MP, and former Deputy Prime Minister from the first ranks of SDSM. He didn’t vote for the impeachment, and the reasons, based on value principles, he didn’t hide. And anyone can describe that as “solidarity” on an ethnic basis, but that’s certainly not the case. Just like the author of these lines.

Winners and Losers

The biggest winner in this short adventure at the beginning of the announced “hot political autumn” is VMRO-DPMNE. Mickoski strengthened the coalition and showed principle. At least before the international community, VMRO-DPMNE demonstrated that it is not a (too) nationalist party or at least that it doesn’t fall for the nationalist tricks of others (they have their own). As for the political losers, I’ve written enough, except perhaps to say that SDSM seems to have returned to the “values” close to them in the infamous 90s (Bit Pazar ’92, Tetovo University ’95, the Albanian flag in Tetovo and Gostivar, ’97).

However, the biggest losers in this episode are the Macedonian citizens, especially those who see their future in Europe. Unfortunately, I can foresee new and even more severe defeats and disappointments already in the near future for the citizens.