Just two and a half months after his appointment, Petar Bogojevski has stepped down as head of North Macedonia’s National Agency for European Educational Programmes and Mobility, which oversees EU-funded initiatives like Erasmus+. The move follows mounting public and institutional backlash over his controversial public statements and political history.
Bogojevski, leader of the nationalist Macedonian Concept party and a junior coalition partner in the current government, confirmed his departure in a Facebook post, describing it as part of a pre-agreed redistribution of posts among ruling coalition partners.
In a photo shared alongside Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Bogojevski wrote that the coalition had reached a new agreement under which he would take on another, unspecified position within the executive branch. “This is a consensual decision between partners,” he stated.
EU scrutiny and backlash
His appointment in April drew immediate criticism both domestically and from international actors, including the European Commission and the EU Delegation in Skopje. The European Commission requested clarification from Education Minister Vesna Janevska over the appointment, citing concerns about Bogojevski’s past online behavior and inflammatory rhetoric.
“The Commission expects the head of a national agency managing a key EU programme to uphold the fundamental values of the European Union, including respect for human dignity and rights, democracy, and the rule of law,” the EU Delegation said in a written statement.
Bogojevski’s appointment also provoked dismay from civil society organizations and media watchdogs, with several local journalist associations filing complaints over his past use of hate speech on social media. In recent years, Bogojevski has made a series of derogatory statements targeting the ethnic Albanian community, often invoking ethnic stereotypes and conspiracy theories. He has also been sued by the Albanian-led VLEN coalition, a government partner, for inciting ethnic hatred.
Some of Bogojevski’s more controversial posts include derogatory claims about the intellectual capacity of Albanians and accusations of “violent Albanianization” of central Macedonia. In one high-profile instance, he speculated without evidence that a missing teenager had been abducted by individuals from Kosovo, drawing criticism for inflaming ethnic tensions.
Domestic political fallout
The backlash extended beyond public discourse. Opposition parties condemned Bogojevski’s initial appointment as “scandalous,” arguing that his views were incompatible with the mission of the Erasmus+ agency and with the values of multiethnic cohabitation. Some accused the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party of enabling what they called a provocative and divisive figure.
While VMRO-DPMNE has remained largely silent on the matter, the coalition’s Albanian partner, VLEN, notably refrained from expressing public concern over the appointment — a silence that raised eyebrows within the Albanian political spectrum.
The government has yet to provide a detailed explanation regarding the decision-making process behind Bogojevski’s selection. Alsat, a local broadcaster, reported it had asked government officials about the procedure and the basis of his nomination but received no response.
Institutional damage
The Erasmus+ agency, which facilitates academic exchanges and mobility with European partners, is considered a cornerstone of North Macedonia’s EU integration process. The controversy surrounding its former director risks undermining the agency’s credibility and the country’s reform image in Brussels.
Racin.mk, a local media outlet, described Bogojevski’s behavior as incompatible with public service ethics and accused him of continuing inappropriate online communication even after taking office. The outlet also confirmed it had sent formal inquiries to government institutions and the EU Delegation seeking accountability for the appointment.
Despite the controversy, Bogojevski continues to maintain a presence in national politics. In his latest public statement, he emphasized that his departure does not signal a political retreat but rather a strategic repositioning within the executive branch.
As the Mickoski-led government navigates its early months, the handling of Bogojevski’s case will likely be seen as a test of its commitment to EU values and institutional integrity. With tensions simmering over ethnic coexistence and rising scrutiny from Brussels, the administration faces pressure to draw clearer red lines on public accountability and political appointments.