The Constitutional Court of North Macedonia has approved the decision to repeal the street names in Tetovo, which were approved by the Municipal Council in 2007. The decision was made with five votes "in favor", while two Albanian judges and a Turkish judge voted against.

The initiative to review the issue was submitted by the League of Fighters from the National Liberation and Anti-Fascist War of Macedonia 1941–1945, which argued that the name change was made without the consent of the Government, in violation of the law regulating the naming of streets, squares and infrastructure facilities.

The decision focuses on names such as “Iliria”, “Dëshmorët e Kombit”, “Dervish Cara” and “Kongresi i Manastirit”. For some Albanians in Tetovo, these names are considered symbolic of the process of more fair representation of Albanian history and identity in the public space after the Ohrid Agreement.

The old names will also be returned to the streets "Kongresi i Manastirit", "Dëshmorët e Kombit" and "Krushevska Republika" and will be named after the Yugoslav politician and military leader, Ivo Llolla Ribar. The list also includes two streets named after two figures of the Albanian National Renaissance, Abdyl and Sami Frashëri, now these names will be replaced with the old names of the Russian dictator "Lenin" and the partisan "Radovan Coniq". The name of the street "Metodija Andonov Çento" will also be removed, while it will now be named after the Slovenian partisan Boris Kidriç.

Supporters of the decision argue that the 2007 changes were made in violation of legal procedures and that the restoration of the previous names constitutes a correction of an illegal process. Darjan Sotiroski also expressed this line, welcoming the restoration of previous names such as “Josip Broz Tito”, “Radovan Coniq”, “Ivo Lola Ribar” and “29 Nëntori”.

The decision has prompted strong reactions from Albanian parties. The Democratic Union for Integration has described the development as part of a campaign against the political achievements of Albanians, while Arbër Ademi has declared that it is a “destabilizing court” and a step back in time.

The debate over street names goes beyond the legal aspect. The naming of public spaces continues to be an issue with strong historical, political and identity connotations. The latest decision is expected to deepen discussions on the representation of collective memory and history in the city's public space.