Rule of law and use of state and minority symbols in Macedonian and Serbian case

The rule of law implies that all individuals, as subjects of law, are equal before the law in
terms of their rights and obligations, as well as in the limitations imposed on certain forms of behavior.
This equality and these limitations should not discriminate on any national, religious, gender, or official
basis. The subject of this paper is a comparative analysis of the rule of law in North Macedonia and
Serbia, conducted through an examination of the implementation of constitutional and legal regulations
regarding the use of state symbols and community symbols. The aim of the research is to determine
whether the application of these principles is in accordance with the rule of law. Practice shows that
the rule of law is not always fully implemented in either case. The use of official authority and the free
will of individuals can be regarded as among the causes of non-compliance with the rule of law. In the
conclusion, two assessments are offered: one concerning the adequacy of the existing regulation and
the other proposing possible future solutions that would be in accordance with the rule of law.