by: XHABIR DERALLA
The “people” at elections have destiny in their own hands. Behind the voting booth, in initiatives for amending laws, at protests… Many vote against, and when they vote in favour, they are easily disappointed.
At the elections in 1998 they voted against BC. They voted against the criminal privatization that is an excuse, in addition to the nationalism, which the current opposition has been using 20 years now, while at the same, committing crime that is incomparably greater than BC’s privatization.
At the elections in 2002, the “people” voted against a war. And it won. The choice then was between BC and Ljubco. Voters chose the anti-war and pro-European agenda in a plebiscite manner. A post-war period of turmoil followed, filled with difficult decisions and delicate processes. Regardless of the weight of the mandate and the obvious inclination towards kleptocracy, the then government stabilized the country and brought it a candidate status for EU membership. In just four years, the government changed three prime ministers, which didn’t give much room for real reforms, but rather for formal implementation of measures and pushing many problems under the rug. In the meanwhile, DUI, which emerged from the political wing of the Macedonian UCK, installed itself in the system, abusing the principle of equitable representation for its narrow party and lucrative interests, while the vmro grew into a serious nationalist and militant structure.
After that it was Buchko or Grujcho, and then the people lost, and Grujo and Ali came to the top. The entire time, Ali remains the only option for a coalition. And a coalition with Ali is like a coalition with the vmro. And when you take a look at it, they are always all in a coalition. With one difference, essentially important – the installation of the criminal Family can’t make such great damage to the Euro-Atlantic agenda when it’s in the opposition. My personal opinion, you don’t have to agree with me… But all we’ve seen in these past two decades are two sharply opposed concepts. One, strictly nationalist, chauvinistic, violent and pro-Russian, and the other, antinationalist, social (in attempt), legalistic (in attempt) and definitely pro-European.
What they have in common is inclination towards corruption, with the difference being that the first ones raise this to a level of the system, while the second ones, even if unsuccessfully, show a desire to fight it.
The vmro is an efficient party, a militant-mafia structure that tramples ruthlessly and executes out plans. Contrary to them, the sdsm is a structure a bit more at ease, not very efficient, by far not united and compact, which makes them, like it or not, far more democratic company. Ali’s party is similar to the vmro.
There’s something else that we often forget when we’re behind the voting booth.
The promises made before elections and the actions of the coalition government after the government has been established are two different things. The pre-election promises of any party are impossible to be entirely implemented, anywhere in the world, and by far not in the Macedonian circumstances. Not much research is necessary in order to come to this conclusion, all it takes is to look at the facts and the situation…
So… in a year it will be Zhmicko or Zaev. That “Zh” means Grujo. There’s no third choice. In the case with Ali… well, that will be a “bit” more complicated game, with many stunts and acrobatic performances…
Translated by: Natasa Cvetkovska
