“No, Mr. Peevski, You Do Not Represent Us!”

The majority places them under the common denominator “Bulgarian Turks”. He speaks about them impersonally, addresslessly, namelessly. “They” are “somewhere” around the remote corners of the country, called the “mixed regions” of Bulgaria. This vaguely defined territory suggests both a removed distance and the possibility of predatory obsession. When Delyan Peevski, sanctioned under the Magnitsky law, announces in front of the microphone that he is their “brother”, he does exactly that – crushes, tramples, humiliates, subjugates. But they are not nameless. They are not impersonal. They are not “vassals” of the “padishah”. They stand in front of him and tell him: “No, Mr. Peevski, you do not represent us!”

zekie Emin is 30 years old, was born in Razgrad, is an architect by education, lives in Sofia:

I was at the protests in 2020, I was also at the big protest on December 1st along with manny of my friends. We want to express our civic position. The main reason is the fakeness of the political class. This fake is totally cracked and it is indeed obvious to the youth who look for the authentic in everything. Though, a big problem in the protests is the nationalist language with which people chant – “Bulgarian heroes”, “janissaries”, “liberation” and other references to an empire that has long ceased to exist.Though, the anti-Turkish narrative persists in our protest culture. If we are not united even while protesting in the name of democracy, if we do not find a unifying language, we cannot be true European citizens, “united in our diversity”.

[Image of Zekie Emin with caption: Zekie Emin: “Our generation perceives itself as part of Europe” Photo: private]

At the protests on Monday, there were all kinds of my acquaintances and friends – bulgarians, Turks, pomacs, Roma – all of them – smart, intelligent, educated, working and equally contributing to the advancement of this society and this country. We were all there because each of us wants justice and a possible future in Bulgaria.Our generation sees itself as part of Europe.

“Mr. Peevski uses some of the most vulnerable groups for personal purposes”

Neither mr. Peevski nor many other representatives of the political class in our country understand this. They underestimate people from minorities – as if for them it is indeed some kind of mass pushed to some corner of the country that they can use for political purposes. However, this is not the case, although this has been the picture in our country for many years. It is a fact that the minorities in Bulgaria do not have a sufficiently good political portrayal and this is the obligation of the whole society, but especially of the politicians.

No, Mr. Peevski does not represent the Bulgarian minorities, on the contrary, he uses some of the most vulnerable groups for personal purposes and this in itself paints the landscape that our fragile democracy has come to. However, there is hope: I think that a large number of young people in our country believe in democracy, see themselves as europeans and are ready to defend their rights.

Türker Mollahasan was born in 1994 in Momchilgrad. he has a doctorate in tax law and works as a lawyer for an international consulting company:

I am married and have a 1-year-old child. I love Bulgaria and want to live here with my family. I support the current protests and actively participate in them. I called for their organizing on social media as soon as the draft budget for 2026 was published. It did not envisage (and still does not envisage) any reforms, but r

Protests in North Macedonia Reflect Deepening Distrust in Government

Recent protests in North Macedonia signal a growing public dissatisfaction that extends beyond specific policy disagreements, pointing to a deeper crisis of trust in the government’s decision-making processes. Demonstrators express concerns about a perceived disconnect between public authority and the public interest, a lack of transparency, and the neglect of critical social issues.

Roots of the Discontent

the current wave of protests isn’t solely about the proposed state budget, even though that served as a catalyst. Jeylyan Mehmed, a protest organizer, articulated the core issue: “Critically important decisions are made non-transparently and real social problems are ignored.” Emerging Europe reports that the protests reflect a broader sentiment of alienation and frustration with the political establishment.

Lack of Transparency

A central grievance is the perceived lack of transparency in government operations. Critics argue that key decisions are made behind closed doors,without adequate public consultation or clarification. This opacity fuels suspicion and erodes public confidence. The absence of open dialog and accountability mechanisms contributes to a sense that the government is not responsive to the needs of its citizens.

Neglect of Social Issues

Protesters also highlight the government’s perceived failure to address pressing social problems.These include economic hardship, rising living costs, and inadequate public services.Balkan Insight notes that concerns over the budget cuts impacting social programs are a major driver of the demonstrations. The feeling that real-world challenges are being overlooked in favor of political maneuvering further exacerbates public anger.

past Context

North Macedonia has experienced periods of political instability and social unrest in recent years. Reuters details a history of political polarization and distrust in institutions. These past experiences contribute to the current climate of heightened sensitivity and skepticism towards the government.

Political Polarization

Deep-seated political divisions within North Macedonian society contribute to the challenges facing the government. Competing ideologies and a lack of consensus on key policy issues make it difficult to build broad-based support for reforms. This polarization further fuels public distrust and makes it harder to address the underlying causes of discontent.

Looking Ahead

The protests represent a significant challenge to the North Macedonian government. Addressing the root causes of public dissatisfaction – namely, a lack of transparency and a perceived neglect of social issues – will be crucial for restoring trust and stability. A commitment to open dialogue, inclusive decision-making, and responsive governance is essential to bridge the gap between the government and the people. Failure to do so risks further erosion of public confidence and potential for continued unrest.

Key Takeaways

• The protests in North Macedonia are driven by a deep-seated distrust in the government.
• Lack of transparency in decision-making is a major concern for protesters.
• The government is accused of neglecting critical social issues and failing to address economic hardship.
• Historical political instability and polarization contribute to the current climate of discontent.

Publication Date: 2025/12/10 14:18:05