It is not true that changing the anthem is the subject of negotiations in the ruling coalition, government officials claim, after several media outlets reported about it based on a televised appearance of DUI leader Ali Ahmeti on TV Klan Macedonia. Politicians and experts say that the topic of the anthem is not a priority at the moment and is imposed in order to defocus the public from more important issues, but most agree that there is a problem with the anthem and it should not be treated as a taboo topic.

"The flag and coat of arms of Northern Macedonia have already been placed on the table between SDSM and DUI, and a new anthem is only a matter of time." - this is how part of the interview with Ahmeti was interpreted in some Macedonian media. But Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, who is also a DUI spokesman, says the statements were misrepresented and manipulated.

- The media write that negotiations are taking place, not that Ahmeti says. I can also deny that Ahmeti said such a thing, and it is a frivolous transmission of a statement, which is about 20 years ago when the flag, the anthem, the coat of arms were discussed. On top of that there was a change in the back. But, there are no such negotiations, and it is obvious that the issue of the anthem is not an inclusive element in the country, and you feel it at sports competitions when everything unites us, except the anthem, where a large part of the citizens are not seen inside, are not mentioned . And we are building a multiethnic society that everyone envies - says Osmani.

The opposition Alliance for Albanians believes that the topic of changing the anthem is imposed after the failure to obtain a date for the start of negotiations with the EU. They say that "the panties for the alleged change of the anthem are Ahmeti's false patriotism."

- Ahmeti on the one hand wants to make a theater that supposedly will change something and Zaev on the other hand that he is defending something. All this deception has only one goal, to defocus the public from the only truth of the day, another failure in the European integration process. Instead of lies, the Government of SDSM and DUI should resign and report on the failure in the integration process - it is said, among other things, in the written reaction of AA.

Former Parliament Speaker Stojan Andov told Sloboden Pecat that Ahmeti's idea is to prepare for the upcoming local elections, because, according to him, DUI will not be the first party among Albanians and offers some things that are past.

- This was discussed ten years ago and a solution was found. That is not a priority at the moment. Our priority now is to complete the tasks given to us by the EU. Ahmeti himself should concentrate on that, but I do not see him here being too hot for this job - says Andov.

According to him, in some peaceful time, when we solve the more important things, the anthem can be discussed.

- Our anthem is the only one in which specific people are mentioned, it is not practiced in the anthems of European countries. In their hymns they address God, or the king and queen, as in the British anthem, for example. But these are not issues we need to discuss now. This is to divert attention from what is essential and let's talk about the anthem - says Andov for "Free Press".

Political analyst Ismet Ramadani says the issue of the anthem should be treated without prejudice, while the national flag is absolved by the right to use the national flag as a symbol of ethnicity.

- The text of the national anthem in the country, where we coexist with Macedonians and other ethnic communities, was occasionally opened as a topic for discussion. The anthem became relevant especially during its intonation at the European Championship matches and the fact that it was not sung by the Albanian national team members. That is why the political elite should reflect on this topic at the right moment, not leaving it as a taboo, and find a solution. I think that what unites us and makes us even more faithful and committed to our common state is our everyday life and that is why this problem should be treated without prejudice. - Ramadani pointed out.