Latest Profiles from Macedonia
Kiro Gligorov: Macedonia’s First Statesman
This week Macedonia pays tribute to its first democratically elected president, Kiro Gligorov, a statesman whose calm posture and peaceful policies kept the country out of the bloody Yugoslav conflicts of the 1990s.
Boris Kondarko – Man in Macedonia’s Election Hot Seat
As an opposition nominee for the head of the election commission, Kondarko faces a rough few weeks ahead of him.
Jovan Manasievski, Champion of the Centre Ground
The head of the Liberal Democrats is determined that his small party will emerge as the kingmaker after the next elections
Branko Crvenkovski, the Social Democrats’ Big Hope
A veteran of the political scene since the early 1990s, the former president and two-time prime minister is seen as the Social Democrats’ best hope to unite the party against the ruling VMRO-DPMNE.
.jpg/200x150/?p=/cache/1/images/2010-09-20/47f67b61612dfcfd718b1f9eb704f224_200x150.jpg)
Nikola Gruevski: Economic Reformer Turned Nationalist
Born on August, 31, 1970, in Skopje, Macedonia’s Prime Minister, the leader of the ruling centre-right VMRO-DPMNE party, is an economically savvy technocrat who over time has developed into a hard-line nationalist.
Ljubco Georgievski: Hawk Who Turned Into a Dove
Yesterday’s nationalist firebrand now espouses a ‘21st-century patriotism’ based on economic growth and a fast resolution to the name issue with Greece.
Ljube Boskoski: Macedonia’s Self-styled Freedom Fighter
The former ally, turned enemy, of Nikola Gruevski won’t win the June elections - but he can expect to poach a number of centre-right votes from the premier and his VMRO party.
Radmila Shekerinska: Brussels’ Favourite Macedonian
After losing to Nikola Gruevski once already in the 2008 elections, the woman with a hotline to Washington and Brussels is back in the ring, as the Social Democrats’ Prime Minister-in-waiting.
Rufi Osmani: Lone Wolf on Macedonian Albanian Stage
The fiercely independent minded mayor of the western town of Gostivar is determined to shake up politics in Macedonia’s large Albanian community.
Velija Ramkovski - Shady Tycoon Or Media Hero?
Opinion is still out on whether the charismatic boss of Macedonian A1 TV is a champion of free speech, or just a business mogul with secrets to hide.
Ali Ahmeti: Rebel Turned Politician
Born in 1959 in Zajas, the former chief of the Albanian guerilla force that staged a six-month insurgency in 2001, leads the main ruling ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI.
Europe’s Straight-talking Man in Macedonia
When Brussels’ ebullient Irish envoy finally leaves Skopje in four months, he will leave behind warm memories - even if his criticism of government policies has often annoyed officials.
Ivanovski Faces Fight of His Career
Senior judge Trendafil Ivanovski has been declared a former informant for the Yugoslav secret services – a ruling that will likely end his career. He says he’s being set up by the government and vows to fight the allegations.
Stefan Fuele, Bearer of Good News for the Balkans
On the eve of a Balkan tour, the newly appointed EU Enlargement Commissioner says he well understands the importance of free travel to Western Europe.
Matthew Nimetz: The Patient Man Behind the 'Thankless' Talks
The longstanding mediator between Athens and Skopje, Matthew Nimetz, rarely reveals his feelings – but admits regret that the name ‘New Macedonia’ didn’t stick.
