“Unitary”, “federal”, “cantonal”, “united”, “unified”, “confederate” and “multi-ethnic”. These are the terms and adjectives that dominate the narrative of political parties in Macedonia in the pre and post-election period and during the political crisis that resulted from negotiations between the parliamentary parties to form the new government.
Most of these terms are used by all political parties, their leaders and officials in public appearances, interviews and party statements, but each from a different point of view, interest and needs.
Unitary
This term is used by VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM and DUI. If we judge the three parties by the views and statements of their representatives, there is no difference of opinion that Macedonia should remain a unitary state.
Federal, federalization
This term is mostly used by VMRO-DPMNE to intimidate citizens and to accuse SDSM that their policies together with the platform of the Albanian parties is leading to federalization.
SDSM and DUI have publicly declared that they are against federalization.
Cantonal, cantonization
Just like “federalization”, this term is used daily in the statements and announcements by VMRO-DPMNE.
SDSM and DUI publicly declared that they are against any kind of cantonization.
United
This term has been “branded” by the civil initiative “For a United Macedonia”, who for more than a month have been protesting against the platform of the Albanian parties, for a unitary state and against cantonization and federalization.
Unified
This is commonly used by VMRO-DPMNE and “For a United Macedonia”, together with the term, “unitary” Macedonia.
The three largest parties, VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM and DUI regarding the unitary of Macedonia, are the only ones for a “unified Macedonia”.
Confederate
This term is exclusively used by the leader of VMRO-DPMNE, Nikola Gruevski, in the context that the policies of SDSM and the platform of the Albanian parties will eventually lead to confederation.
Multiethnic
This term is mostly used by representatives of VMRO-DPMNE and by the protest leaders “For a United Macedonia”. The term always goes hand in hand with the terms “unitary” and “united”.
VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM and DUI agree on the concept of this term.
