The reason for this is that the ruling government, lead by the SDSM (the Social Democrats — or more accurately, “former Communists”) has not taken the bold steps and reforms necessary to allow Macedonians to achieve their God-given potential. At best, they have dithered, choosing the path of least resistance, implementing just enough reforms to get by without too much pain. At worst they have been corrupt. The SDSM has ruled Macedonia for all but four years since 1991. And while they profess economic reforms and an embrace for the free-market economy, their governance has shown the opposite. Consider the facts: Between 1993 and 1997, unemployment increased from 27.7 percent to 36 percent. In 1998, when the center-right party of VMRO-DPMNE took over, unemployment was 34.5 percent and they steadily reduced it to 30.9 percent in 2001, the last full year of their mandate. However, when SDSM took over in 2002, they promptly promoted policies that increased the unemployment rate from 31.9 percent in 2002 to 37.4 percent last year. In 1993, economic growth was -7.5 percent. In 1994, it was -1.8 percent (again, negative). In 1995 it was still negative at -1.1 percent and in 1996 only managed to climb into the positive realm at 1.2 percent and 1.4 percent in 1997. Finally, in 1998 when VMRO-DPMNE was elected, it increased, modestly, to 3.4 percent, making further gains in 1999 to 4.3 percent and 4.5 percent in 2000. In 2002 it was only 0.9 percent. In 2003 it managed to climb to 3.4 percent, in 2004 it was 4.1 percent but sunk back to 3.7 percent last year. These are hardly inspiring numbers. Finally, in the arena of foreign direct investment, the Social Democrats have failed miserably. In the first three years of the first VMRO-DPMNE mandate from 1998 to 2001, foreign investors voted in favor of Macedonia and their government with their dollars pumping in more than $650 million of them. By comparison, in the first three years of the current government’s mandate, they have only managed to bring in a less-than-stellar $295 million. By comparison, Bulgaria brought in $1.4 billion in 2004 alone. Macedonia, since 1991, has only managed to bring in $1.3 billion. A report by the respected group Transparency International for their report on Global Corruption 2005 revealed some startling facts. On the whole, over the past three years, 57 percent of Macedonians believe corruption has increased. This is not surprising, however, especially when the government itself claims that it is true. The respected International Crisis Group, in their February 25, 2005 report on Macedonia, noted: On 15 November 2004, Prime Minister Hari Kostov resigned citing frustrations within the coalition, including allegations of nepotism and corruption within the DUI. Although his decision was not a surprise, the gravity of his public accusations startled observers. Not only did they raise serious questions about the integrity of the central government, but they placed even more strain on SDSM-DUI relations… All in all, a bleak picture begins to emerge in Macedonia from these facts and figures. If the SDSM is once again elected, Macedonia can look forward to four more years of the same. But should VMRO-DPMNE be elected, they will work vigorously for a change in direction, one that brings about the necessary reforms Macedonia should have adopted and implemented in the early 1990s. I visited Macedonia a few years ago and was struck by the openness of the people, the natural beauty of the country, and the eagerness of the people to work hard, be creative, and provide a better future for their children and grandchildren. This, ultimately, is what Macedonians want and it is a shame that the current government cannot or will not create conditions to allow individuals to succeed. Macedonia is also considered the lid of the pot that keeps tension in the Balkans from boiling over. It must be a leader in the regional quest for economic and individual freedom and prosperity. Ronald Reagan fought hard to see Communism relegated to the dustbin of history. Nations around the world are free today because of his work and for that, Macedonians are grateful. But there is still much to be done to finally cure the hangover of Communism that some political parties and leaders still cling to. A change in government would be a step in the right direction. – Kerri Houston is vice president of policy for Frontiers of Freedom, a public-policy think tank in Washington, D.C. She is also a commissioner on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.