Skopje, North Macedonia – In a surprising turn of events, the Southeast European country of North Macedonia has become embroiled in a heated debate over selecting an official national bird. The two unlikely contenders vying for the coveted title are the flamingo and the albatross, both of which have no historical or geographical connection to the landlocked nation.

The campaign, initiated by local bird enthusiast and politician Aleksandar Petkovski, began as a light-hearted attempt to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation. However, it quickly gained momentum, leading to a widespread and passionate discussion among North Macedonia’s citizens.

Petkovski, who serves as the head of the Committee for Environmental Affairs, has faced both praise and criticism for his unconventional proposal. Supporters of the campaign argue that adopting either the flamingo or the albatross as the national bird would showcase North Macedonia’s commitment to environmental conservation and global unity. Meanwhile, detractors claim that the selection of a non-native bird would be inappropriate and a neglect of the country’s indigenous wildlife.

Despite the controversy, the Macedonian Parliament is set to vote on the matter in the coming weeks. Some political analysts speculate that the debate over the national bird may serve as a diversion from more pressing issues facing the nation.

As North Macedonia grapples with this unexpected political quandary, the world watches in fascination to see which of these two unlikely avian candidates will ultimately be chosen as the country’s official national bird.