The nationalist provocation with the display of a huge Albanian flag over Tsar Samoil’s fortress in Ohrid caused a rift in Zoran Zaev’s Government.

Deputy Prime Minister Bujar Osmani said that the move by a group of Albanian nationalist was legitimate and that they had the right to display the flag – even though it was seen as a territorial provocation by the Macedonian public and was followed by statements from the group that “Ohrid is an Albanian city”.

Government spokesman Mile Bosnjakovski today said that the flag was displayed unlawfully. The Albanian group was fined and received a five year entry ban to Macedonia.

There already is a court decision and the Government won’t respond to the verdict. But, given that the verdict is such as it is, it is clear that there were some violations in the law on the use of flags, Bosnjanovski said.

The incident happened ahead of the second round of the presidential elections, when Ohrid citizens will also vote for a new Mayor. The SDSM – DUI candidate relies on Albanian votes in the city after a narrowly fought first round, and the Albanian community has capitalized on its role as power-broker, by pushing for the reconstruction of a minaret that would tower over the old city. Meanwhile, SDSM mayoral candidate Konstantin Georgievski is campaigning together with DUI local official Nefi Useini involved in several unlawful construction projects of his own, and is reportedly eyeing a major development project for himself.