In the compromise proposal made by France, North Macedonia must recognize the country’s Bulgarian minority in its constitution. According to opponents, the proposal endangers the Macedonian language and identity.
In North Macedonia, the parliament has accepted the compromise proposal made by France, which is supposed to open the way to actual EU membership negotiations.
Bulgaria has so far blocked the start of negotiations with North Macedonia.
In the 120-member parliament of North Macedonia, slightly more than half, or 68 MPs, supported the proposal, which has recently caused widespread protests in the country.
According to the compromise proposal of France, which held the presidency of the EU until the end of June, North Macedonia must take into account the position of the country’s Bulgarian minority in its constitution.
According to the proposal, Bulgaria and North Macedonia must agree on other disputes. Bulgaria has demanded that North Macedonia also recognize the status of the Bulgarian language.
The opposition roared and marched out of the chamber
Opposition MPs loudly protested the proposal’s adoption in North Macedonia’s parliament before leaving the chamber. According to the opponents, the compromise proposal endangers the language and identity of Macedonians.
The country has been protesting against the proposal for a week and a half. Protesters had also gathered outside the parliament today.
The ruling left-wing coalition and its supporting parties representing the Albanian minority voted in favor of the compromise proposal in the parliament. The French proposal is also supposed to open Albania’s way to actual membership negotiations.
The left-wing coalition in power in North Macedonia has considered the French proposal an acceptable compromise.
The required constitutional amendment could prove difficult in North Macedonia’s parliament, as it requires a two-thirds majority, or 80 votes.
The opposition center-right VMRO-DPMNE and its allies have declared their opposition to changing the constitution.
North Macedonia has been a candidate for EU membership for 17 years already.
Previously, North Macedonia’s path to EU membership was blocked by Greece, which demanded that Macedonia’s name be changed based on its own province of the same name. Macedonia decided to change its name five years ago.