wh y w e l o s t
84
improve and preserve the relations with representatives of the international community
who can provide indirect support for moderate political structures which are free from
corruption.
VMRO-DPMNE has been trying to become a member of the European People’s Party
since its founding, and additional efforts are needed to achieve the confidence and coop-
eration of the center-right parties in Europe by improving internal party democracy and
maturity in political activities. A strong link with Republican and conservative circles in
USA is needed for gaining support for VMRO-DPMNE’s policy.
The obligations from the Framework Agreement are coming to an end, and the major-
ity of the population is not interested in security and ethnic relations themes. A strong
economy and employment policy should be built for the coming parliamentary elections.
The ruling coalition in Macedonia has neither had good economic results nor improved
employment levels.
It is necessary for VMRO-DPMNE to gain think-tank and NGO assistance in supporting
its campaign. The party’s media presence should be pro-active and cooperative, avoiding
unnecessary statements which could harm its rising popularity.
Regarding the parties which came out of VMRO-DPMNE, especially the VMRO-People’s
Party, it should concentrate on building partnerships with VMRO-DPMNE if it would
like to be part of a winning coalition in the future. If this can not be established, its mem-
bers will slowly return back to the “mother” party. VMRO-DPMNE has to take a leading
role in the opposition block because of the capacity of the party and its well developed
network across Macedonia.
Cooperation and partnership with the Albanian minority party PDSH should be a prior-
ity, as there is no other political party which could present the center-right option to Alba-
nians in Macedonia. This will not be easy, as PDSH and PPD are overshadowed by BDI’s
popularity among ethnic Albanians to such a degree that the two parties did not even
run in the second round of the spring 2005 local elections. This defensive strategy will be
insufficient and work against the prospects of much-needed, long-term cooperation with
VMRO-DPMNE.
APPENDIX:
List of Major Parties and Their Acronyms
Democratic Alternative – DA
Democratic Party of Albanians – PDSH
Democratic Union for Integration – BDI
Liberal Democratic Party – LDP
Liberal Party – LP
Party for Democratic Prosperity - PPD
Social Democratic Union of Macedonia - SDSM
VMRO-Democratic Party of Macedonian National Unity – VMRO - DPMNE
