Political parties in power and opposition in North Macedonia have continued with their “offers” for the adoption of constitutional changes, which political experts see as “tactics to gain political points or increase their popularity”.
After Albanian parties, the Democratic Union for Integration and the Alliance for Albanians, stated that they are ready to withdraw from an expanded government, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski also said that he is willing to pass the position of prime minister to VMRO-DPMNE if they support the constitutional changes.
The changes concern the preamble, specifically the inclusion of the Bulgarian minority as a constituent people, which is a condition for the start of European Union accession negotiations for North Macedonia, based on the agreement with Sofia on resolving disputes over language, identity, and historical differences.
Kovačevski made this offer, as he said “in the interest of implementing the constitutional amendments”. The goal, as he stated, is to collectively make the decision on constitutional changes and continue the path towards European integration.
“The speed of implementation is important, considering the circumstances and deadlines set by the European Union itself,” said Prime Minister Kovačevski at a meeting with journalists on Tuesday in Skopje.
The Office of the European Union in Skopje has referred to the positions and proposals of the parties regarding the form of adopting constitutional changes as “internal discussions”, but stated that they must still be concluded within the timeframe set in the negotiating framework.
“The European Commission is ready to hold the next conference as soon as North Macedonia fulfills its commitment to completing the aforementioned constitutional changes, in accordance with its internal procedures and within the deadline set in the negotiating framework,” the EU Office in Skopje said in a statement.
North Macedonia’s President Stevo Pendarovski has also stated that VMRO-DPMNE’s request is “beyond reality”.
“The Council’s conclusions are clear; you must make constitutional changes by the end of the screening process to automatically proceed to the Second Intergovernmental Conference and the opening of chapters,” Pendarovski declared.
VMRO-DPMNE says it supports the constitutional changes on the condition that they come into force after North Macedonia joins the EU, but also with the condition that a newly elected government be formed to prepare for new elections, without the participation of DUI, which they accuse of “involvement in corruption and organized crime”.
The constitutional changes need to be approved in the Parliament of North Macedonia with two-thirds or 80 out of 120 votes from deputies, which the parliamentary majority does not have, hence the need for VMRO-DPMNE’s support.
