Hundreds of Albanian law students in Skopje staged a mass protest today, demanding the right to take mandatory jurisprudence exams in their native Albanian language—a right they say exists legally but is not implemented in practice.
The demonstration brought together a large number of students from across North Macedonia’s law faculties, who marched with banners and Albanian national flags. Protesters chanted slogans such as “The Albanian language is our right,” “We speak Albanian,” and “There is no state without youth,” emphasizing both linguistic rights and broader concerns about equality and representation in the country.
Despite Albanian being an official language in North Macedonia, students argue that key professional certification exams—particularly the jurisprudence exam required to practice as a lawyer, judge, or prosecutor—are conducted predominantly in Macedonian. This, they say, creates systemic barriers for Albanian-speaking graduates and undermines equal access to legal professions.
The issue has sparked political attention. Students have already submitted a petition calling for institutional changes to ensure the use of Albanian in these exams. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski initially described the demand as legitimate, raising expectations among protesters. However, he later reversed his position, stating that current legal provisions do not allow for such changes, a move that has fueled further dissatisfaction among students.
The protest highlights ongoing debates over language rights and minority inclusion in North Macedonia, a key issue across the Balkans. Similar concerns have been raised in neighboring regions, including Kosovo and Albania, where language remains closely tied to identity, education, and institutional access.
Students insist their demands are not political but rooted in existing legal guarantees. As protests continue, the situation is likely to remain a focal point in discussions about equality, governance, and youth rights in the Balkans.