“Macedonian language” in Greek schools? On September 21, the Supreme Court will decide the fate of the center in Florin

The front page of the newspaper “Δημοκρατία” dated September 15, 2026. The topic of “Macedonian language” is included in the main heading.

A loud headline about “Macedonian language in Greek schools” does not mean that such a subject is already being introduced. On September 21, the Supreme Court will consider the legality of the dissolution of the organization in Florin, which itself is seeking optional language teaching.

The topic became one of the most prominent in the Greek press after the publication of the newspaper “Δημοκρατία”which put the wording on the front page: ““Macedonian language” in Greek schools”.

However, today The Greek Ministry of Education has not made a decision to introduce such a subject.

What will the court decide?

September 21 Άρειος Πάγος – Supreme Court of Greece will consider two cassation appeals related to the dissolution of the registered in Florin “Macedonian Language Center in Greece”.

The organization was created in 2022. Among its officially stated goals:

• preservation and teaching of the “Macedonian language”;
• organization of language courses;
• teacher training;
• promoting optional language teaching in schools and universities.

It is this latter formulation that is the basis for today’s loud headlines.

Why was the organization dissolved?

After initial registration, the Center’s activities provoked a strong reaction in Florina and northern Greece.

In 2024, the Western Macedonian Court of Appeal overturned the decisions that had allowed the organization to operate and effectively ordered its dissolution.

Now representatives of the Center are seeking to reverse this decision. If the Supreme Court rejects the cassation appeal, the organization has already announced its intention to appeal to European Court of Human Rights.

What does the Prespa Agreement say?

The Prespa Agreement between Greece and North Macedonia does recognize the official name of the neighboring state’s language as: “Macedonian language”.

Moreover, the agreement specifically indicates that we are talking about South Slavic languagewhich is not related to the ancient Greek history and cultural heritage of Macedonia.

Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs – official clarifications on the Prespa Agreement.

But the agreement does not introduce the language into Greek schools

This is a fundamental difference.

The Prespa Agreement does not oblige Greece to:

• create a school subject;
• recognize a separate “Macedonian minority”;
• introduce language teaching in public schools.

That is why the current dispute is no longer about the name of the official language of North Macedonia, but about the right of an organization within Greece to promote it as a language of the local population and to ensure that it is taught.

What happens if the Center wins?

Even if the Supreme Court overturns the dissolution decision, this does not automatically mean the appearance of a new subject in schools.

Curricula are determined by the Ministry of Education and relevant government agencies.

The Association can only continue:

• social activities;
• language courses;
• campaign for changes in education policy.

Why the decision will be politically important

The case touches on several sensitive topics:

• Prespa Agreement;
• Greek-Macedonian relations;
• freedom of association;
• minority issue;
• educational policy.

Therefore, the decision on September 21st will have implications far beyond one organization in Florin.

Previously “Athens News”

• “Macedonian language” recognized in Greece?
• Mitsotakis on violation of the Prespa Agreement

Sources

• Greek Foreign Ministry – Prespa Agreement
• Council of Europe – materials on the Macedonian Language Center

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