Thousands Riot In North Macedonia Over EU Membership

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

SKOPJE/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – A tense calm has returned to North Macedonia, where thousands protested against the “forced Bulgarization” of their Balkan nation as a condition for joining the European Union.

Nearly 50 police officers were injured in violent clashes this week in which demonstrators threw rocks, petrol bombs, and other objects at security forces, authorities said.

They also ignited fireworks and damaged government buildings, including the Parliament and Foreign Ministry.

On Wednesday, violence escalated when small groups of Macedonians and ethnic Albanians, which comprise around 25 percent of the population, clashed in the center of Skopje.

The clashes endanger the fragile multiethnic peace in North Macedonia. However, the tensions also underscored growing public doubts about the government’s decision to join the EU under specific terms.

Bulgaria, which as an EU member retains veto powers over new members, wants North Macedonia to formally recognize that its Macedonian language has Bulgarian roots. It also demands that North Macedonia recognizes a Bulgarian minority in the country and cracks down on “hate speech” against Bulgaria.

The French proposal, accepted by Parliament on June 24, places these Bulgarian demands into the negotiating framework between North Macedonia and the EU.

The government of North Macedonia is among several leaders of Balkan countries seeking to join the wealthy 27-nation bloc, but nationalistic tensions in the region raised eyebrows in Brussels.

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