Jashe Sefer: Roma are Recognized as a People in the Macedonian Constitution and Participate in Governance

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Jashe Sefer is a Romani politician from Republic of North Macedonia. He is an economics graduate from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje and is currently deputy president of ROM political party which participates in the governing coalition led by VMRO-DPMNE.

Mr. Sefer is married with two children. He has already managed to gain extensive experience in public administration. Over the past 11 years he has been an adviser on economic issues, state councillor, and chief of staff to a minister without portfolio. As of February 2025, Mr. Sefer was appointed to the position of National Coordinator for the creation and monitoring of national strategies and policies for non-majority communities.

O.T.: Mr. Sefer, you represent a political party called ROM. Can you tell us something more about this party? We know that there are dozens of Roma political parties registered in North Macedonia. How is your political party different from the others? 

J.S.: I am the deputy president of the political party Roma United of Macedonia (“Роми обединети од Македонија”) abbreviated as ROM. A party that was officially registered on 08.04.2014 and follows a centrist ideological orientation, with a primary focus on promoting education among young Roma. In fact, a book — symbolizing learning and knowledge, is an integral key element in our party’s logo. Our mission and vision is to provide equal access to young Roma in the process of their education, through which, once they have completed it, they will have the opportunity for improved inclusion in all other social spheres such as social, economic, political, etc. There are currently exactly 10 political parties with a Roma affiliation registered in our country. What distinguishes us from the rest is that we are a unique party with a structure composed primarily of young, educated Roma who already have some professional experience. The party’s leadership is mostly made up of people between the ages of 30 and 40 with strong educational background and high potential. The president of our party, Mr Erdzhan Selimi, is 39 years old. Unfortunately, I must point out that this is not the case with the other Roma political parties.

O.T.: The ROM party participates in the currently ruling coalition in North Macedonia led by VMRO-DPMNЕ party (Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity). How did this coalition come about? 

J.S.: Yes, our party is in a coalition with VMRO-DPMNE, a coalition that was formed at the time of our founding in 2014 and has continued to this day. The reason for this decision is primarily due to the fact that VMRO-DPMNE, as a political party, has shown in the past that it is the only true political partner of the Roma people. When in power, it has genuinely worked on the real inclusion of Roma in the country through systemic programs, measures, and activities. In the past, and even now when VMRO-DPMNE is the leading party in power, the Roma community has had the highest level of representation in the executive branch — something that has not been the case with other political options.

O.T.: VMRO-DPMNE is often seen in the public space as a Мacedonian conservative, nationalist party. At the same time it has formed a common electoral coalition with political parties of Roma, Vlachs, Serbs, Turks. This may seem strange to many readers. Why right-wing instead of left-wing? How do you explain this? 

J.S.: VMRO-DPMNE is a right-wing party with a Christian-democratic and patriotic concept, but not a nationalist one. The fact that the majority of parties representing other ethnic groups in Macedonia are part of a pre-election coalition with this party clearly indicates and demonstrates that VMRO-DPMNE not only loves and respects the Macedonian people but equally loves and respects all other ethnic communities in the country. I believe that loving and respecting one’s own people, as well as others, in my opinion, is not nationalism — on the contrary, it is a greatness. Although this approach is not typical for many right-wing parties, the situation in our country is different. Left-wing parties, most often led by SDSM, have consistently provided minimal representation for the Roma in the executive branch when in power, without any concrete projects for the inclusion of Roma and other communities. Even though, logically, left-wing parties are expected to be more oriented toward minority groups, as well as vulnerable and marginalized populations, unfortunately, past practices in our country show otherwise. The reality does not reflect the core ideology of left-wing parties in Macedonia, particularly those led by SDSM.

O.T.: What do you mean? Can you explain for our readers what is the difference between the right-wing VMRO DPMNE and the left-wing SDSM in Macedonia?

J.S.: The political configuration in Macedonia is very different from that in Western Europe, for example. In our country, left and right do not always correspond to the notions in the other countries. Traditionally, Roma parties participate in all ruling coalitions in Macedonia, but they do not always get real participation in power. From 2008 to 2017 Macedonia was ruled by VMRO–DPMNE. During this period, one minister, deputy ministers, directors and deputy directors of Roma origin were appointed to the government. Totally about 300-400 Roma people were integrated into the public administration, including the police. For a small country like ours, this was a great progress. In addition, money was allocated from the state budget at that time for the construction of the “Shaip Jusuf” secondary school in the Roma municipality of Shuto Orizari. This school is named after the great Roma public figure Shaip Jusuf, author of a grammar of the Romani language. The school was opened in 2015 and currently has a Roma headmaster, this is very inspiring for the children. It has been 10 years since the school existed, and the percentage of young Roma from Shuto Orizari who have completed secondary education has increased significantly. Money was also allocated for the construction of a new kindergarten in Shuto Orizari on the site of the burned one. The old kindergarten that burned down in a fire was called “Snezhana”, and the new kindergarten was named “Osmi April” (April 8th). The situation changed when the left-wing SDSM party came to power in 2017. They did not continue this policy, on the contrary, from 2017 to 2024 all positions previously gained by the Roma were lost and no significant investments were made. Their government stopped the appointment of Roma in the state administration. The SDSM slogan was – “One society for all”. They did not have specific policies towards Roma or other ethnic groups in Macedonia and prioritized working only with Albanian parties. This is what I mean when I say that we cannot support the left-wing parties in Macedonia. The leftists claim to be our friends and want the Roma votes, but in practice, once they come to power, they treat us as a social class and marginalize us politically.

O.T.: What you say about the left-wing politics in Macedonia is very interesting because this is generally how most of the mainstream European parties treat the Roma issue at EU level. As you know, currently, Roma are isolated from European politics in Brussels and the EU funds support mainly projects that perpetuate the image of Roma as a poor, illiterate and marginalized community without the right to political representation. However, it seems that in Macedonia, which is still a candidate for EU membership, the situation is different. You are organized in your own Roma political parties and freely pursue your political goals on an equal footing with the Albanians and other nationalities. By the way, were any Albanian parties included in the electoral coalition with VMRO-DPMNE? 

J.S.: When participating in elections, whether local or parliamentary, there are both pre-election and post-election coalitions. Albanian parties traditionally form post-election coalitions in all elections. This is also the case now, with the Coalition called “Your Macedonia,” led by VMRO-DPMNE, which has entered into a post-election coalition with four Albanian parties united under the name “Vredi” (“It’s Worth It“).

O.T.: Could you tell us what exactly your responsibilities are as National Coordinator for the creation and monitoring of national strategies and policies for non-majority communities?  

J.S.: I am directly appointed by the Prime Minister and report to him. Мy main responsibility is to improve the existing governmental policies aimed at non-majority communities through coordination with the institutions responsible for the implementation of these policies. This includes all national strategies, policies, programs and measures that are either directly targeted at or include non-majority communities in the Republic of North Macedonia – Roma, Vlachs, Serbs, Turks. I monitor also the implementation of laws, by-laws and strategic documents that concern them. That is why I communicate and cooperate with all ministries and state institutions in Macedonia, giving them opinions and recommendations on how to improve their work. In short, I provide systemic coordination with the relevant institutions in the implementation of activities related to non-majority communities, serving as a link between the Prime Minister and the responsible institutions, and vice versa, through my role as National Coordinator.

O.T.: Can you give us a specific example of your work?

J.S.: On my initiative, it was proposed to the Bureau for Educational Development (responsible for the curricula in primary and secondary schools) that more content about Roma, as well as other peoples, be integrated into the subject of History. In the first place, their participation in the Second World War and the awarding of heroes, which shows their contribution to the preservation and existence of our common state. Also, in the subjects of Music and Art Education, I have made a proposal to integrate more content about the Roma to show the rich Roma traditions, customs, folk dances, folklore and music, as well as famous Roma performers from home and abroad. Also, on my initiative, a National Coordination Body is to be formed to meet regularly to discuss implemented and planned activities by relevant institutions and organizations based in Macedonia, and the problems they face in their work with non-minority communities.

O.T.: At a special event organised on April 8 in Skopje Prime Minister Christian Mickoski said that he does not consider Roma as a minority, but as a people, and the government’s goal is not Roma to be just tolerated or included, but to become equal citizens. This is quite an unusual statement for a prime minister from Eastern Europe. In most Eastern European countries, right-wing parties promote assimilation or disenfranchisement of Roma. Why is Mickoski of VMRO-DPMNE making an exception to the general rule? 

J.S.: This statement by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski is simply a confirmation of the genuine stance that this party and government hold toward the Roma community.

As you know, the Roma are part of the preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, where they are recognized as a people who constitute the state. The Prime Minister is merely aiming to genuinely reflect this constitutional status of the Roma in the social sphere as well — recognizing us as a people who, beyond being acknowledged on paper, deserve to be treated equally in practice, just like all other communities. This should not be seen as an exception, but rather as a true example being implemented in the Republic of Macedonia.

O.T.: Do you think that Macedonia’s policy towards the Roma can set an example for other countries and even the EU itself? The European Commission’s statement of April 8 refers to the Roma as a European “minority” of 6 million people, and in a number of internal documents they are equated with “other marginalized groups.”   

J.S.: Yes, this is an example that all other European countries should follow and use as a model. It is high time that everyone in Europe and beyond understands that the Roma people are a reality, we have existed, we exist, and we will continue to exist. That we, the Roma, are just like all other peoples and that we must not be treated or considered as less valuable, less capable, or less intelligent simply because we are Roma. On the contrary, we are a numerous people, present all over the world and we deserve to be treated equally, just like everyone else, because — like all others — we contribute to the societies and countries in which we live. The marginalization of Roma will persist as long as people do not understand that we are the same as everyone else, equal before God and equal under the laws of the states we live in.

O.T.: Obviously, some contradiction arises between Macedonian and European model, but this issue has not been raised so far by the Roma and pro-Roma NGOs, which are usually invited to consultations by the EU Commission. NGOs, of course, have their important role, but they cannot replace the political parties, they do not contest in elections. At Roma events in Brussels and Strasbourg we mostly see project implementers, mediators and artists; their voices certainly matter and should be heard, but they are not politicians. The impression is given that Roma political leaders have been sidelined and those who try to speak on behalf of Roma at European level lack the necessary political standing, and are therefore easily ignored by EU officials. Why do you think Roma politicians from EU member states and candidate countries, such as Macedonia, are isolated from this policy-making process? Is this due to a lack of ambition on the part of Roma political parties, as they focus more on local politics, or is the reason somewhere else?  

J.S.: Roma political parties in our country are focused on the national level and on addressing the issues that Roma face within the state. The Republic of North Macedonia does not participate in European elections, and I believe, that this is one of the reasons why the EU is not particularly interested in inviting or including Roma political parties in its consultative activities. On the other hand, the lack of interest from Roma political parties in taking on this role has contributed to the representation of Roma in EU affairs being reduced to certain individuals who are not true representatives of our people in the country. Of course, this must change in the future if we want the transformation we strive for to also take place at the European level. In my opinion, first we need to achieve political consolidation within Macedonia and these ten Roma parties that currently exist should unite into two or three and then can we move towards the European level. I think something similar should happen in other European countries with large Roma populations, and eventually Roma politicians can come together to formulate a common European Roma policy.

O.T.: What you say sounds logical. On the other hand, as you know, a huge number of Roma from Macedonia and the Western Balkans have long lived in EU countries like Germany, France, Belgium. Some of them are already asking themselves whether it is not time for Roma political parties to become more visible and active at the European level. At the same time, there are EU Member States where, unlike Macedonia, the law does not allow Roma to freely establish their own political parties or local Roma are too disillusioned with politics, so the national and local contexts may differ. However, Roma politics has global dimensions and cannot be confined to a single country. That is why we are doing this interview with you in English to reach a wider audience outside Macedonia. My last question is a personal one. How did a person like you decide to get involved in politics? Many young and highly educated Roma in Europe avoid political parties. Do you see a future in Roma politics? 

J.S.: Most educated young Roma, unfortunately, do not want to engage in politics. However, if we truly want to make an impact and bring about systemic solutions for our people, it is difficult to achieve that without being directly involved and part of the state governance system. As a student, I was involved in the NGO sector, working on the development and improvement of policies related to Roma in the areas of education and human rights. What I realized was that, through NGO engagement, it is very difficult to bring about systemic change.

The activities we implemented as part of NGO projects only reached a portion of the Roma population, because fiscal limitations dictated the scope. This is exactly what motivated ме — the need to contribute to the creation and implementation of policies that affect the entire Roma population and encouraged me to become part of the state system where all policies are made. At the same time, understanding the pathway into the state system, we established a political party through which we were formally and legally given the opportunity to enter the state governance structure. And believe me, I have no regrets about this choice. On the contrary, I am proud of it. Even though, as a successful young professional in the field of economics, I had many job offers and opportunities both in the country and abroad, I chose this path because I believe I can leave a positive mark through my work, especially when it comes to the Roma community in our country.