1. Overview
Nikola Gruevski (Никола Груевски'nikɔla 'ɡruɛfskiMacedonian) is a former Macedonian politician who served as Prime Minister of North Macedonia from 2006 until his resignation in 2016, and led the VMRO-DPMNE party from 2003 to 2017. His decade-long premiership was marked by significant economic initiatives and electoral successes, but also by accusations of authoritarianism, corruption, and a controversial shift in the country's foreign policy from pro-Western to pro-Russian and anti-Western sentiments. He was implicated in a major wiretapping scandal, leading to his resignation under the Pržino Agreement. Subsequently, Gruevski faced multiple legal charges, including convictions for corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office. In 2018, he fled North Macedonia to Hungary, where he was granted political asylum, becoming an international fugitive. The United States Department of the Treasury and United States Department of State later imposed sanctions on him due to his involvement in significant corruption.
2. Early Life and Background
Nikola Gruevski's early life was shaped by his family's historical migration and his upbringing in Skopje, followed by his education and initial foray into the financial sector.
2.1. Birth and Family History
Nikola Gruevski was born on August 31, 1970, in Skopje, then part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. He grew up in a family that was neither particularly privileged nor poor. His father worked in furniture and design, while his mother was a nurse. Following his parents' divorce, Gruevski was raised by his mother. When he was four years old, he accompanied his mother to Libya, where she worked alongside thousands of other Yugoslav citizens.
Gruevski's paternal grandparents originated from the village of Krušoradi in Ottoman Macedonia, where his grandfather, Nikolaos Grouios (Nikola Gruev), was born in 1911. Until the official Greek annexation after the Second Balkan War in 1913, the village was under the jurisdiction of the Bulgarian Exarchate. The subsequent Greek administration implemented an assimilative anti-Bulgarian campaign, changing the names of local villagers to corresponding Greek names. Nikolaos Grouios's name was changed to Nikolaos Grouios, and the village itself was renamed Achlada by Greek authorities in 1926. Gruevski's grandfather fought in the Greco-Italian War during World War II, where he lost his life in 1940. His name is inscribed on the war memorial in Achlada among other locals killed during the war. Years later, during the Greek Civil War, Gruevski's grandmother and father fled north to what was then Yugoslav Macedonia. There, they changed their original family name, Grouios, to the Slavic "Gruevski" to gain citizenship through assimilation, a common policy in Yugoslavia at the time.
His mother, Nadežda, hails from Štip. She is the sister of Jordan Mijalkov, who served as the first Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Macedonia. During Nikola Gruevski's administration, his first cousin, Sašo Mijalkov, held the position of director of the Administration for Security and Counterintelligence of the Republic of Macedonia.
2.2. Education and Early Career
Gruevski completed his primary and secondary education in Skopje. In 1994, he graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the St. Clement of Ohrid University of Bitola, where he also engaged in amateur theatre and boxing. After his graduation, he entered the nascent finance sector, becoming the first person to trade on the then-new Macedonian Stock Exchange in Skopje. During 1995, he worked as a department director at Balkanbank, owned by Multigroup, and served as its exhibitioner until 1998. In 1996, he acquired qualifications for the international capital market from a London Securities Institute. He founded the Brokerage Association of Macedonia in 1998 and became its president, making the first transaction on the Macedonian Stock Exchange. On December 12, 2006, he obtained a master's degree from the Faculty of Economics at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje.
3. Political Career
Nikola Gruevski's political career saw him rise through the ranks from Minister of Finance to the longest-serving Prime Minister of post-independence Macedonia, leading his party to multiple electoral victories before facing a downfall due to accusations of authoritarianism and corruption.
3.1. Minister of Finance (1999-2002)
Gruevski served as Minister of Finance in the government led by Ljubčo Georgievski from December 27, 1999, to January 11, 2002. During his tenure, the government oversaw the privatization of key state-owned enterprises, including the sale of Makedonski Telekom to Hungarian Matáv and the OKTA oil refinery to Hellenic Petroleum. Gruevski was a strong advocate and implementer of significant financial reforms. These reforms included the modernization of the payment system and the implementation of an 18% value-added tax (VAT). To combat tax evasion, he introduced a program, designed by his advisor Sam Vaknin, that required fiscal receipts for all Macedonian businesses. He also oversaw the privatization of Fenimak, a transaction that brought foreign investment into the Republic of Macedonia and revitalized a nearly defunct state-owned company.
3.2. VMRO-DPMNE Party Leadership (2003-2017)
After the VMRO-DPMNE party's defeat in the 2002 Macedonian parliamentary election, a period of internal conflict ensued. Nikola Gruevski emerged as a prominent leader with a pro-EU stance, and in May 2003, he was elected as the party's leader, succeeding Ljubčo Georgievski. Although Georgievski later formed his own party, the VMRO - People's Party, VMRO-DPMNE managed to retain the majority of its supporters under Gruevski's leadership. He continued to lead the nationalist ruling party until December 2017.
3.3. Prime Minister (2006-2016)
Gruevski's premiership, spanning a decade, was characterized by a series of electoral victories, ambitious domestic projects, and a notable shift in the country's international alignment, alongside growing concerns about authoritarian tendencies.
3.3.1. Electoral Victories and Government Formation
Under Gruevski's leadership, VMRO-DPMNE achieved significant electoral success. The party won the 2006 Macedonian parliamentary election in July, and Gruevski formed a new government on August 25, 2006. This government featured many new faces, predominantly in their 30s, in key ministries and other positions. With this victory, Gruevski earned the distinction of becoming the first elected European head of government born in the 1970s.
The coalition led by VMRO-DPMNE secured its second consecutive victory in the 2008 Macedonian parliamentary election on June 1, 2008, winning more than half of the seats in parliament. However, the polling was marred by violent incidents and allegations of fraud in some ethnic Albanian-dominated municipalities. Gruevski subsequently formed a coalition government with the ethnic Albanian political party, the Democratic Union for Integration.
The party's electoral success continued with a third consecutive victory in the 2011 Macedonian parliamentary election on June 5, 2011, where VMRO-DPMNE won 56 out of 123 seats. Despite objections regarding the misuse of state resources, including allegations of blackmailing over one hundred thousand public servants to act as agitators, the elections were declared valid. Gruevski again formed a new government in coalition with the Democratic Union for Integration.
On April 27, 2014, VMRO-DPMNE won the 2014 Macedonian general election, securing Gruevski another term as prime minister.
3.3.2. Domestic Policies and Projects
During his premiership, Gruevski initiated several significant domestic projects and economic campaigns. On January 6, 2012, he officially opened the triumphal arch "Porta Macedonia" in Skopje, a monument commemorating the 20th anniversary of Macedonian independence. At the ceremony, Gruevski publicly acknowledged that he had personally been the instigator of the ambitious "Skopje 2014" project, which aimed to transform the capital's appearance with new neoclassical buildings, statues, and monuments.
Another notable initiative was the "Kupuvajte makedonski proizvodi" (Buy Macedonian Products) campaign, which promoted the purchase of Macedonian goods, identifiable by a logo featuring a smiling sun. This program was intended to boost domestic revenue and stimulate the national economy.
3.3.3. Economic Policies and Reforms
Gruevski's government pursued economic strategies aimed at attracting foreign investment and stimulating national economic development. In 2014, his administration began to fast-track plans through Parliament to establish a tax-free autonomous trade zone. This zone was designed to operate outside the purview of both domestic and international regulators, a move that raised alarm among Parliament members. The European Union's Venice Commission expressed concerns, commenting that if all laws (other than criminal laws) were to be enacted and enforced by a managing body rather than the constitutionally recognized lawmaker and executive, this zone would become a "State within a State" separate from the existing constitutional structure and could potentially become "a haven for 'dirty money.'"
3.3.4. Foreign Policy and International Relations
Under Gruevski's leadership, North Macedonia's foreign policy underwent a notable shift. The country, which had previously maintained a pro-European and pro-NATO policy, began to lean towards a pro-Russian, pro-Serbian, and anti-Western orientation. Gruevski consistently opposed key international agreements, including the treaty with Bulgaria in 2017 and the Prespa Agreement signed with Greece in 2018, which resolved the long-standing naming dispute. In January 2015, former Prime Minister and VMRO-DPMNE founder Ljubčo Georgievski accused Gruevski's government of having a goal to "Serbianize" the country, ultimately aiming to join it with Serbia.
Despite this later shift, Gruevski participated in international engagements with Western leaders during his early premiership. In June 2007, he attended a meeting in Tirana, Albania, alongside then-President of the United States George W. Bush, Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha, and Prime Minister of Croatia Ivo Sanader.
3.3.5. Authoritarianism and Governance
Gruevski's governance was increasingly characterized by accusations of authoritarian rule. Allegations included widespread electoral fraud and the misuse of state resources for political campaigning. A major controversy erupted with the wiretapping scandal, which revealed that more than 20,000 people in Macedonia, primarily state officials, had been illegally wiretapped under his authorization. The opposition also alleged that his government had covered up the murder of a young man by a police officer in 2011.
In May 2015, significant protests against Gruevski and his government erupted in Skopje. These demonstrations were sparked by charges brought against opposition leader Zoran Zaev, who, in turn, made public the wiretapping allegations. A major protest on May 5, 2015, involved violent clashes between activists and police, resulting in injuries on both sides. In the aftermath, several ministers, including the interior minister, resigned. Gruevski initially resisted calls to step down, stating on May 16 that "if I back down it would be a cowardly move... I'll face down the attacks."
4. Resignation, Legal Issues, and Fugitive Status
The culmination of political crises and legal challenges led to Nikola Gruevski's resignation, followed by multiple convictions for corruption and his eventual flight from justice to seek asylum abroad.
4.1. Pržino Agreement and Resignation
The political crisis triggered by the wiretapping scandal intensified pressure on Gruevski's government. Under the Pržino Agreement, mediated by the European Union, Gruevski eventually agreed to resign from his position. On January 15, 2016, Emil Dimitriev was nominated as the interim prime minister, and Gruevski officially left office on January 18, 2016, as part of the pre-electoral arrangement.
4.2. Trials and Convictions
Following his resignation, Gruevski faced numerous legal proceedings. In January 2017, the Macedonian Special Prosecutor's Office launched the 'Tank' investigation, accusing two individuals of abusing their official positions between February and October 2012 to illegally procure a luxury armored Mercedes-Benz car worth 600.00 K EUR, allegedly to fulfill Gruevski's wishes while he was prime minister. On May 23, 2018, Gruevski was sentenced to two years in prison for unlawfully influencing government officials in this purchase.
Legal challenges continued, and in April 2022, a court in Skopje sentenced him to seven years in prison on charges of money laundering and the illegal acquisition and concealment of state property.
4.3. Escape to Hungary and Asylum
On November 9, 2018, the Skopje Criminal Court rejected Gruevski's appeals for a postponement of his prison sentence. He failed to appear for the start of his two-year sentence on November 10, having last been seen in Macedonia on November 8 at a hotel in Skopje. Macedonian authorities subsequently issued an arrest warrant for him. Hristijan Mickoski, the leader of VMRO-DPMNE, defended Gruevski, characterizing the arrest warrant and police search as "political persecution" and a "witch-hunt," and stating that VMRO-DPMNE was "under police siege."
On November 13, Gruevski announced via his Facebook account that he had fled to Hungary and applied for political asylum. He was known to have particularly close relations with Viktor Orbán, the head of Hungary's right-wing Fidesz party and Prime Minister of Hungary, who had opposed the Prespa Agreement between Greece and Macedonia and supported VMRO-DPMNE's hardline stance against it. Orbán reportedly described Gruevski's escape as "an interesting story, exciting, like all crime stories."
Despite his passport having been confiscated, Gruevski successfully escaped. While initial concerns arose that he might have used a Bulgarian passport, Bulgarian authorities confirmed he had never applied for Bulgarian citizenship. Albanian police later confirmed that Gruevski had passed through Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia before reaching Hungary, aided by the Hungarian government which escorted him using Hungarian diplomatic vehicles.
On November 20, 2018, Hungarian authorities officially granted him political asylum.
4.4. International Arrest Warrant and Extradition
Following his escape, Interpol issued an international arrest warrant for Nikola Gruevski, and the North Macedonian government filed a formal extradition request with Hungary. Opposition parties in Hungary called for Gruevski's arrest and swift extradition back to North Macedonia.
On June 27, 2019, Gruevski appeared handcuffed in a Budapest court for a closed hearing regarding North Macedonia's extradition request. Later that day, the Budapest court announced its rejection of the extradition request. According to Judge Éva Várhegyi, the necessary conditions for his extradition were not fulfilled.
4.5. Sanctions
In April 2022, Nikola Gruevski was added to the United States Department of the Treasury's Specially Designated Nationals List of individuals facing Balkans-related sanctions. Concurrently, the United States Department of State also imposed corruption-related sanctions on him. These measures were taken due to his involvement in significant corruption and his actions undermining regional stability.
5. Post-Premiership and Continued Controversies
After stepping down as Prime Minister and party leader, Nikola Gruevski remained a figure of controversy, facing further investigations and the removal of his honorary party status.
5.1. Resignation from Party Leadership
In December 2017, following a significant defeat of VMRO-DPMNE by the Social Democratic Union in the 2017 Macedonian local elections, Gruevski resigned as the leader of the party. Furthermore, in July 2020, his position as an honorary president of VMRO-DPMNE was revoked, as part of broader changes aimed at democratizing the party.
5.2. Lobbying Scandals and Further Investigations
Controversies surrounding Gruevski continued even after his premiership. On March 19, 2021, German politician Tobias Zech resigned from the Bundestag amid allegations that he had received a large sum of money to lobby on behalf of Nikola Gruevski. It was also revealed that after Gruevski's escape to Hungary, Zech maintained business relations with North Macedonia through a cannabis-related company, PharmCann Deutschland AG, in partnership with Zlatko Keskovski, a former counter-intelligence officer of North Macedonia.
Additionally, in October 2020, Gruevski was named in a new money laundering probe initiated by authorities in North Macedonia, indicating ongoing legal scrutiny of his financial activities.
6. Ideology and Political Stances
Nikola Gruevski's political career was defined by a strong nationalist and conservative ideology, which heavily influenced his domestic and foreign policies, including a controversial historical narrative and a shift in international alignment.
6.1. Nationalism and Conservatism
Gruevski's political orientation was rooted in nationalism and conservatism. This ideological framework significantly shaped his policies and rhetoric, emphasizing national identity and traditional values.
6.2. "Antiquization" Policy
A particularly controversial aspect of Gruevski's tenure was the promotion of the "Antiquization" policy. This policy involved the construction of numerous statues and buildings in Skopje, often depicting historical figures and symbols from ancient Macedonia, aiming to reinforce a direct link between modern Macedonians and ancient Macedonian history. Critics argued that this policy was a form of identity politics that distorted historical narratives and strained relations with neighboring countries, particularly Greece, which claims ancient Macedonia as part of its own heritage. Gruevski himself condemned the Prespa Agreement, stating that Prime Minister Zoran Zaev had "scammed" and "tricked" the Macedonian people over the country's name change. He also claimed that Greek politicians had imposed an unfavorable deal that outlined exclusive claims over "antique history" by Greece.
6.3. Foreign Policy Orientation
Gruevski's foreign policy views evolved during his time in office. Initially, he maintained a pro-European and pro-NATO stance. However, his administration gradually shifted towards a more pro-Russian and anti-Western sentiment. This reorientation was evident in his opposition to key agreements with neighboring countries, including the treaty with Bulgaria in 2017 and the Prespa Agreement with Greece in 2018.
7. Personal Life
Nikola Gruevski was born in Skopje in 1970. He divorced his first wife. In May 2007, he married Borkica Gruevska. Together, they have two daughters, Anastasija and Sofija.
8. Evaluation and Criticisms
Nikola Gruevski's leadership is subject to significant criticism, particularly concerning its impact on democratic institutions, the rule of law, and North Macedonia's international standing.
8.1. Authoritarian Rule and Democratic Backsliding
Critics extensively evaluate Gruevski's governance style as increasingly authoritarian. His tenure is frequently cited as a period of democratic backsliding, characterized by the erosion of democratic institutions and the suppression of dissent. Allegations of electoral fraud, the misuse of state resources for political campaigns, and the controversial wiretapping of over 20,000 individuals, including state officials, are central to these criticisms. These actions are seen as undermining civil liberties and human rights, leading to a significant decline in the country's democratic standards.
8.2. Corruption and Rule of Law
Pervasive allegations and multiple convictions for corruption define a major aspect of the criticisms against Gruevski. His involvement in cases such as the illegal procurement of a luxury armored vehicle and convictions for money laundering and illegal acquisition of state property highlight a perceived undermining of the rule of law during his premiership. These instances contributed to a widespread perception of systemic corruption within his government.
8.3. Impact of Foreign Policy Shifts
The assessment of Gruevski's foreign policy realignment points to significant consequences for North Macedonia's geopolitical standing and its aspirations for European integration. The shift from a pro-Western to a more pro-Russian and anti-Western orientation is seen as having complicated the country's path towards EU and NATO membership. His opposition to crucial agreements, such as the Prespa Agreement with Greece, further isolated North Macedonia from its Western partners and regional stability efforts.
8.4. Cultural and Historical Debates
Gruevski's "Antiquization" policy generated considerable cultural and historical debates. While intended to strengthen national identity, critics argued that it created a fabricated historical narrative that alienated neighboring countries and fueled nationalist tensions. The policy's focus on ancient Macedonian heritage was seen as a deliberate provocation, particularly to Greece, and contributed to societal and political divisions within North Macedonia itself.
9. Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Nikola Gruevski received several awards and recognitions.
- 2011: Vienna Economic Forum award for his contribution to national and regional economic development.
- 2014: Order St. Nicholas, the highest award of Štip.
- 2015: Order Baptist (Preteca) from Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery.
10. Writings
Nikola Gruevski has authored or co-authored several books.
- Macedonian Economy on a Crossroads (1998), co-authored with Sam Vaknin.
- The Way Out.
- Experiences for the Future: Economic Effects of Different Types of International Capital Flows, With Particular Reference to the Republic of Macedonia (2018).