Ethnic Albanian political parties made major strides in North Macedonia’s local elections on October 19, 2025, reshaping the country’s political map and strengthening the representation of Albanians in several key municipalities. The coalition VLEN (Worth) and the National Alliance for Integration (AKI), led by the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI), both achieved significant victories — signaling a new balance of power in the country’s ethnically mixed regions.
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| Suat Shaqiri in the electoral campaign |
VLEN’s Victories in Tetovo and Čair: A Turning Point for Albanian Representation
In what analysts describe as a historic achievement for ethnic Albanians, VLEN candidates Izet Mexhiti and Bilal Kasami won convincingly in Čair and Tetovo, two of the most symbolically important municipalities for the Albanian community.
For Izet Mexhiti, this marks his fourth mandate as mayor of Čair — a record-setting moment that cements his political legacy. He defeated Bujar Osmani, the candidate of the BDI and a former foreign minister. Following the results, Osmani publicly congratulated Mexhiti, acknowledging the democratic process and the strength of voter support.
VLEN also secured victories in four other municipalities, reflecting a steady rise in popularity and growing voter confidence among Albanians who seek change and decentralization of political power.
Supporters of the coalition celebrated near the Skënderbeu monument in Skopje’s Old Bazaar, waving Albanian flags and chanting in unity. As one VLEN supporter said during the celebrations, “This victory is not just political — it’s cultural and national. Albanians have proven their unity and democratic strength.”
AKI and BDI Hold Their Ground in Key Areas
Meanwhile, the National Alliance for Integration (AKI), led by the BDI, maintained control in several municipalities. The coalition’s deputy leader, Arbër Ademi, confirmed victories in Gostivar, Likovë, Čaška, and Plasnicë, all in the first round.
Ademi declared that “AKI remains the absolute winner at the national level,” claiming an advantage of more than 20,000 votes over competitors. This outcome highlights the continued influence of BDI among traditional supporters, especially in rural and mixed regions.
One of the most symbolic results came from Čaška, where Suat Shaqiri of AKI won with 50.75% of the vote, defeating candidates from both VMRO-DPMNE and LSDM. For the first time in history, an ethnic Albanian became mayor in the central Macedonian municipality of Čaška, a result hailed as a milestone in ethnic and political integration.
Challenges and Reactions Across the Political Spectrum
While VMRO-DPMNE dominated the national scene and the LSDM opposition tried to downplay its losses, Albanian political leaders framed their victories as a democratic affirmation of the Albanian community’s growing role in shaping national politics.
Venko Filipče, leader of the LSDM, admitted that his party had underperformed but emphasized that “internal consolidation is ongoing.” In contrast, Prime Minister Mickoski claimed that his government’s focus on “overcoming ethnocentrism” had created a fair political environment for all communities — a statement many Albanian leaders received cautiously.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that election day proceeded largely peacefully. Minister Panče Toškovski reported only minor incidents, including 11 arrests for vote-related irregularities such as ballot photography or bribery. “The process was calm, fair, and democratic,” Toškovski said, reaffirming the credibility of the results.
A Symbolic Shift for North Macedonia’s Albanians
The outcome of these elections is being interpreted by analysts as a symbolic step toward greater Albanian participation in North Macedonia’s governance. The victories in Tetovo, Čair, and Čaška are particularly important for Albania’s ethnic community, representing progress not only in numbers but in influence over central and local policymaking.
The Albanian parties’ performance reflects a strategic consolidation of the Albanian electorate, previously divided between BDI and opposition movements. Now, both VLEN and AKI have demonstrated the capacity to win decisively in different regions — showing that ethnic Albanian voters can determine the direction of local governance in multiple municipalities.
With the second round of local elections scheduled for November 2, expectations remain high. If the momentum continues, Albanian political forces could secure an even stronger position in Skopje and other mixed municipalities.
Beyond the numbers, the message of this election is clear: Albanian political influence in North Macedonia is rising — built on experience, organization, and civic engagement, and increasingly seen as an essential component of the country’s democratic future.