The Alliance for Albanians (ASH) has criticized Maksim Dimitrievski, leader of the ZNAM party, following his threat to withdraw from the governing coalition if the bar exam is permitted to be taken in the Albanian language. In a statement reported by Fokus, the Alliance for Albanians labeled Dimitrievski a “battery-operated patriot,” suggesting that his stance is a calculated political maneuver. The party argued that Dimitrievski is attempting to boost his public approval ratings ahead of potential early parliamentary elections by adopting a nationalist rhetoric. According to the Alliance, the issue of the bar exam is being used as a campaign tool because the party leader has exhausted other political options. The opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) also weighed in, characterizing Dimitrievski’s statements as a pretext for the governing coalition to justify early elections. SDSM alleged that the dispute over the bar exam is being manufactured to create an appearance of internal coalition tension, which they claim serves as a distraction from broader issues, including concerns regarding financial stability and the “Alta Bank” affair. The controversy stems from comments made by Dimitrievski during an interview with Sitel television, where he stated that ZNAM would not accept the bar exam being administered in any language other than Macedonian. He warned that if the government proceeds with a different decision, his party is prepared to leave the coalition. Dimitrievski noted that his party’s position on the matter has been communicated to Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. He added that he intends to request a meeting with the leaders of the governing coalition to establish his party’s “red lines” regarding the state’s legal system and the future of the coalition.