On May 9, VLEN will transform from a coalition into a single party. Beqir Mexhiti and Bilall Kasami will be co-presidents of the new political subject, which becomes the largest opposition Albanian party on the political scene. A new format, but with the old faces.

The decision follows the logic of political consolidation. The Albanian political bloc in North Macedonia has functioned for decades through multiple parties - DUI, BESA, Alliance for Albanians, and now VLEN. That fragmentation always worked in DUI's favour. Now VLEN is making the move to close that front.

Mexhiti and Kasami, as co-presidents, formally keep the balance between the two key sub-blocs. In practice - that means every decision will be the product of negotiation and tasting sessions. That is standard in Balkan politics, but also the reason why many merged parties stay functional only as long as there is an external opponent.

For elections, the date matters. With May 9 several fronts open up - and VLEN is positioning itself as a refreshed force to seize the moment. How DUI will respond - with internal restructurings, with a campaign, or by waiting - that is the next open question.

For citizens of Macedonia, these moves on the Albanian political bloc matter beyond an ethnic story. When one bloc consolidates, the influence over the entire political balance shifts. Citizens - all of them - will have to re-read which coalition is real and which one only exists on paper.

The question for VLEN is simple: will a single party hold the rhythm of the coalition, or will it crack at the first election cycle? History does not encourage. But never before have these two leaders sat at the same desk with one signature.