The Albanisation of Macedonia and its consequences for the Balkans

The paper reviews the contemporary aspects of the process of Albanisation in the Republic of Macedonia from the standpoints of political science. The major method used is content analysis of items distributed by national and political bodies to the media, with a view to monitoring the actual political process through its dynamics. Attention is paid to the growth of the Albanian factor in Macedonian domestic politics after the formal adoption of the Tirana Platform. The Platform is also reviewed in detail, alongside the effects sought by its signatory Albanian political leaders. In the first place, this concerns the establishment of bilingualism throughout the Republic of Macedonia as a step towards future federalisation (cantonisation) and the possible partition of this fledgling country in favour of a united Albania.