The Macedonian diaspora has for decades been one of the strongest pillars of the Macedonian state. Macedonians around the world have never forgotten their homeland. They invest, support their families, promote Macedonia, preserve the Macedonian language, traditions, and national identity, and remain an inseparable part of the Macedonian story. <\/p>\n
Although we live thousands of miles away, Macedonia is our home. Our hearts beat for our homeland, and our greatest hope is to one day see even more Macedonians return, invest, and build their future at home. That is why the state must build bridges with the diaspora\u2014not barriers. <\/p>\n
That is precisely why any attempt to restrict or delay the diaspora’s participation in the electoral process sends the wrong message to the hundreds of thousands of Macedonians living abroad.<\/p>\n
Recent developments in Parliament, where according to the ruling majority thousands of submitted amendments are blocking the adoption of the new Electoral Code and the possibility of electronic voting for the diaspora, have caused disappointment among many of our emigrants. Instead of constructive dialogue, we are witnessing filibustering and political blockades that do not bring solutions, but further distance Macedonians from their homeland. <\/p>\n
Especially concerning is the fact that the issue of diaspora voting rights is becoming a subject of political bargaining. Macedonians abroad must not be victims of day-to-day political interests. Democracy means that every citizen has the right to vote, regardless of whether they live in Skopje, Bitola, Ohrid, Debar, Chicago, New York, Toronto, Sydney, or Melbourne. <\/p>\n