THE PARTICULARITIES OF THE POPULISM IN THE MACEDONIAN SOCIETY – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE TENDENCIES

Abstract

The 1990s of the 20th century, brought the process of transition toward democracy and market economy in the Macedonian society. On such a path, Macedonian reality was fi lled with unpopular but necessary decisions by the Macedonian political elites. Such decisions led to disappointment with the transition process among the Macedonian citizens and contributed to the rise of right-wing populism in Macedonian society. The trigger point for such right-wing populism in Macedonia was the Greek veto for Macedonian membership in NATO in 2008. Starting from 2008 until 2017, under the button of ruling of the political elites led by VMRO-DPMNE and Nikola Gruevski, the Macedonian society was plagued by a huge wave of right-wing populism. By representing themselves as a voice of the people, VMRO-DPMNE started to create THEM (traitors) V.S US (pure people) dichotomy in the Macedonian society. Over the years, the content of the camp “them” (traitors) was constantly changing from one group to another. It started with ex-communist and transitional politicians, after that it switched to mainstream media and intellectuals, fi nishing in the end with NGO’s and foreign conspiracy forces. Throughout the years, the populist rule of VMRO-DPMNE was followed by “occupation” of the state, clientelism, discriminatory legalism and nationalistic rhetoric. All of this led to an authoritarian system and constant political crises in the Macedonian society. The biggest political crisis erupted in 2015 and led to a dramatic change of government in 2017. After 11 years, VMRO-DPMNE went in opposition and new government was formed. The new government led by SDSM and Zoran Zaev, in order to restore the European perspective entered in making tough and unpopular decisions. However, three years after the change of the government among Macedonian citizens there is again frustration with Macedonian politics. Such reality opens the possibility for a new rise of populism in Macedonian society. And if the Macedonian society is hit by a new wave of populism, then the question that arises is who will be the new captain of the Macedonian populist boat.