A proposed law to ban dual citizenship for public officials has sparked a sharp political confrontation between government and opposition in North Macedonia.
The draft legislation, currently limited to members of parliament, has triggered broader demands from the opposition, which insists the ban should also apply to current officials and extend across all public positions. The debate is unfolding in North Macedonia, where questions of identity, governance, and EU integration remain politically sensitive.
Venko Filipçe, leader of the opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, accused the ruling VMRO-DPMNE of resisting broader implementation because many officials allegedly hold Bulgarian passports. He argued this undermines their nationalist rhetoric and commitment to the country’s European path.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Panče Toshkovski stated he supports stricter rules, particularly for sensitive roles such as law enforcement leadership. However, he emphasized that applying the law retroactively to current officials would require expert legal evaluation. According to Bulgarian authorities, more than 216,000 citizens of North Macedonia have obtained Bulgarian citizenship, highlighting the scale of the issue.
The controversy underscores deeper political divisions over national identity, legal standards, and institutional reform, especially as North Macedonia continues its efforts toward European Union integration. The requirement to hold only Macedonian citizenship has already been approved for the position of Chief Prosecutor, signaling a potential precedent for broader reforms.