A Monday night meeting of VLEN coalition leaders in Skopje, – a group of ethnic Albanian parties that are part of the government coalition, – ended without a final resolution, party sources confirmed. The next meeting is scheduled for April 6, which could provide more clarity on the future of the alliance.
The uncertainty comes amid rising tensions within the coalition, particularly regarding the political future of Health Minister Arben Taravari. His potential resignation has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, though he has repeatedly denied any intention to step down.
According to unofficial information from Alsat-M TV, Taravari has asked his coalition partners for patience until his party’s upcoming congress, where he is expected to decide on his next steps. Some reports suggest he is demanding at least 40% of the candidates for the upcoming local elections be from his party, adding to the strain within the coalition.
Political Tensions and External Influence
On Monday night, Taravari took to social media to call for unity, emphasizing the need to focus on the collective good.
“The focus should no longer be on whether ‘my party or yours’ wins, but on whether our people win,” he wrote.
His message comes as political speculation intensifies. Sources close to Taravari told Alsat-M that his potential distancing from VLEN may have been influenced by Tirana, while calls for unity are reportedly coming from Pristina.
On Tuesday, Taravari dismissed rumors of his resignation, reaffirming his commitment to his role at the Ministry of Health.
“I woke up this morning to 50 messages asking if I am resigning. But I remain focused on my work at the Ministry of Health,” he said at a press conference.
Taravari added that relations between coalition partners remain “good and stable” and that he continues to perform his duties.
“My priority is patient care. Above all else, the well-being of patients—whether in Kočani or anywhere in the country—is what matters most to me as minister,” he stated.
Coalition Uncertainty Amid Resignation Rumors
Addressing recent media reports about a supposed meeting with Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) leader Ali Ahmeti, – an opposition ethnic Albanian party, – Taravari clarified that there had been no personal meeting but acknowledged ongoing communication between political parties.
“There is time to discuss coalition collaborations. Nothing is urgent. I am not planning to resign. The relations between coalition partners are very good, and I will continue my duties as Minister of Health,” he added.
The growing speculation comes as tensions within the ruling coalition increase. Gadaf Uziri, organizational secretary of the Alliance for Albanians (AA), wrote on social media that “The Alliance for Albanians and Arben Taravari are always on the right path and aligned with the demands of Albanians,” without providing further details.
Reports about a possible withdrawal from the coalition gained traction after journalist Zoran Božinovski claimed in a Facebook post that Taravari would step down on April 2. However, no official confirmation has been made, leaving questions about the stability of the government alliance unanswered.
North Macedonia’s government is currently led by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski of the VMRO-DPMNE, which formed a ruling coalition after winning the most recent elections. The government includes several parties, notably the VLEN. VLEN coalition is an alliance of ethnic Albanian parties, including the Alliance for Albanians (AA), LD, BESA, and Alternativa—has positioned itself as a challenger to DUI’s dominance. However, internal disagreements over electoral strategies and leadership roles have raised questions about its stability.
