North Macedonia president vetoes bilingual licensing law

Skopje, January 8, 2025 - North Macedonia’s President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, has blocked a proposed child protection law that aimed to introduce bilingual daycare licenses. It’s her first veto since taking office last May.

The law, passed by Parliament in December, would require caregiver licenses to be issued in both Macedonian and Albanian. On Tuesday, Siljanovska-Davkova explained that her decision wasn’t about undermining any language or bowing to political pressure. Instead, she called for a closer look at Articles 9 and 10, which she believes might conflict with the Constitution and the Law on the Use of Languages.

“I simply asked for a review of Articles 9 and 10 to ensure there’s no room for arbitrary decisions in the licensing process,” she said. “I’m not taking sides, but some political parties clearly are.”

Prime minister brushes off concerns

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski played down the veto, calling it a routine matter. He reassured the public that the articles in question would be adjusted to comply with the Constitution.

“This is just a formality,” Mickoski said. “The amendments will go back to Parliament, and I’m confident the law will pass without issue.” He stressed that Macedonian remains the official language but clarified that bilingual licenses will still be available for those who request them.

A deeply divisive issue

The president’s veto has sparked heated reactions. The opposition SDSM party welcomed her decision, arguing that the bilingual provisions overlap with existing laws.

“We support the president’s refusal to sign the decree and call on the government to rethink its contradictory proposals,” the SDSM said.

On the other hand, the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), a key Albanian party, fiercely criticised the move, describing it as an attack on the Albanian language.

“This isn’t an isolated incident—it’s part of a coordinated anti-Albanian campaign,” the DUI said in a statement.

What’s next?

Parliament must now reconsider the law. If it passes again with at least 61 votes, Siljanovska-Davkova will be legally obliged to sign it.

The law, which seeks to streamline childcare licensing, was originally passed on December 24 with broad support. Despite the controversy, Deputy Prime Minister Arben Fetai remains confident bilingual licensing will go ahead.

For now, the law heads back to Parliament, where it’s likely to fuel further debate in the coming weeks.