North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has sparked controversy after downplaying the number of ethnic Bulgarians in the country, prompting sharp criticism from representatives of the Bulgarian community.
Mickoski, addressing parliament, questioned why North Macedonia should amend its constitution to recognize an estimated 800 Bulgarians when Albania, which recorded 7,057 self-declared Bulgarians in its latest census, faced no similar requirement.
Vlado Treneski, deputy chairman of the Association of Macedonian Bulgarians “Interaction,” told news outlet FAKTI that Mickoski’s statements were “provocative” and “mocking.”
Treneski condemned what he described as “racist and derogatory” rhetoric from officials in Skopje. He argued that the 2021 census recorded 3,504 Bulgarians in North Macedonia and accused the government of systematically downplaying their presence.
“There are many forces at work to provoke Bulgaria,” Treneski said, alleging that agents of North Macedonia’s former intelligence services remain embedded in Bulgaria’s political and cultural spheres.
Political Manipulation Alleged
The dispute over Bulgarian minority rights has been a sticking point in North Macedonia’s bid for European Union membership. Under the EU-backed “French Proposal,” Skopje must amend its constitution to formally recognize Bulgarians as a state-forming people alongside other ethnic groups.
Treneski accused Mickoski of “political infantilism” and using diversion tactics to sidestep North Macedonia’s EU obligations. He pointed to a sharp decline in the number of citizens in Albania identifying as Macedonians, from 5,512 in 2011 to 2,281 in 2023, suggesting a broader reassessment of ethnic identities in the region.
“The Macedonian elite is horrified by the possibility of ‘re-Bulgarization,’” Treneski said. He dismissed claims that only 800 Bulgarians live in North Macedonia, citing data from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Justice showing that more than 100,000 Macedonians have obtained Bulgarian citizenship in recent years.
“Mickoski’s claim that there are only 700-800 Bulgarians in the country is absurd,” he said, noting that 10,000-12,000 Macedonian citizens apply for Bulgarian citizenship annually.
EU Pressures and Political Resistance
Despite international pressure, Mickoski and his allies have resisted constitutional amendments. Anti-Bulgarian sentiment remains strong in North Macedonia, with graffiti in Skopje reading: “Bulgarians in the Constitution = treason.”
“The French proposal is not subject to renegotiation – it must be implemented,” Treneski said, warning against attempts to derail EU accession talks.
Neither Mickoski’s office nor North Macedonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to requests for comment.
