The first round of presidential elections in North Macedonia takes place today. In the run-up to the elections, journalists accuse both the current government and the opposition of conspiring to restrict press freedom thanks to a new media law. The presidential elections could also threaten talks with the European Union on North Macedonian candidate membership.
The North Macedonian parliament approved changes to the media law in February that will allow state advertising in private media again. The same Social Democratic government, under current President Stevo Pendarovski (Social Democratic Party SDSM), had originally abolished government advertising in 2017. The country’s main media organizations and smaller opposition parties have called on the government to immediately repeal the new law.
Press freedom under threat
The new media law means that the government and municipalities can once again conduct government-funded advertising campaigns in the media. The decision has angered journalists’ unions, who fear the change will lead to a resurgence of political influence over the media. Critics themselves say that the change to the media law could allow state advertising to restrict press freedom, as it could lead to biased reporting. For example, journalists cannot remain neutral when it comes to reporting on government activities.
When the ruling SDSM party was in opposition, they strongly opposed government advertising, claiming it was a crime – now that they are in power, they clearly think differently
Mladen Čadikovski, President of the North Macedonian Association of Journalists
“Mladen Čadikovski, chairman of the North Macedonian Association of Journalists, said in an interview with Politico that it is an attempt to get state advertising back into the media before the elections. “All this is carried out through a shortened procedure and under the guise of compliance with European law,” he said. He suggests that this is misleading because the proposal would not be in line with the EU’s actual media laws, which the candidate country would eventually have to adopt if it joins the European Union. “When the ruling SDSM party was in opposition, they strongly opposed government advertising and claimed it was a crime – now that they are in power, they clearly think differently,” he said.
Abuse EU
Journalists Without Borders ranks North Macedonia 38th in the world on its press freedom index – ahead of EU member Croatia and other countries in the region. Yet the EU candidate is slow to bring media legislation in line with EU standards.
It is important that Brussels does not let North Macedonia back down on media freedom, pointing to the poor state of both the press and democracy in North Macedonia’s neighbor Serbia, which is also seeking EU membership.
European future
The presidential elections could determine North Macedonia’s European future. North Macedonia has been a candidate country for the European Union since 2005. Talks about possible membership started in 2020, but Bulgaria is resisting. The country asked the EU to set certain requirements for North Macedonia’s membership. The European Union therefore responded to that request, which places North Macedonian membership almost entirely in the hands of Bulgaria.
One of the Bulgarian demands is the amendment of the constitution that would recognize Bulgarians, who currently form an ethnic minority in North Macedonia. The constitutional amendment was not approved. The presidential elections could have a major effect on this change to the constitution, which is therefore important for North Macedonia’s EU membership. If current President Stevo Pendarovski wins again, a new vote will follow on this issue. While Siljanovska-Davkova immediately rejects the change to the constitution. A victory for VMRO-DPMNE could therefore mean the temporary end of North Macedonia’s European dream.
In total, there are seven presidential candidates in the current elections in North Macedonia. The current president is Stevo Pendarovski, a member of the pro-EU ruling party SDSM. The second favorite is Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, member of the conservative opposition party VMRO DPMNE. The second round of presidential elections will take place on May 8, coinciding with the country’s parliamentary elections.
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