site.btaNorth Macedonia Deputy PM for EU Affairs: Adopting Constitutional Amendments Goes Through VMRO-DPMNE

North Macedonia's Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Maricikj told a press conference on Wednesday that there are two ways to achieve a qualified majority in the parliament of North Macedonian to vote on the constitutional amendments: one is to earn VMRO-DPMNE's support as a political party under the conditions that were discussed at the leadership meeting in June; the other is to have at least several VMRO-DPMNE MPs convinced to vote in favour of these amendments, "as five years ago, when North Macedonia changed the name of the country" as a result of a treaty with Greece.

Maricikj stated his belief that it is not impossible to talk to the opposition to reach a solution. According to Maricikj, the elections demanded by the opposition are not a solution, and Macedonians must be freed "from populism and the delusion that the negotiating framework can be renegotiated".

Maricikj shared his concern that VMRO-DPMNE and its leader Hristijan Mickoski do not really want to see North Macedonia join the EU and would not support it now or after the elections.

The Deputy Prime Minister announced the launch of a campaign called We Are Europe, which should make people in North Macedonia aware of European integration and its importance. The campaign, which starts on August 30 in Skopje with the participation of Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, will be on the economy. Parts of the campaign in other cities will focus on other topics: labour and social policy in Strumica, agriculture in Prilep, culture in Bitola, tourism and environment in Ohrid, infrastructure in Stip, energy in Kumanovo, youth activities in Tetovo.

Maricikj said: "The objective of these events is to present the benefits, the necessary reforms and the ways in which EU membership will protect and strengthen the Macedonian identity. EU membership is not the French proposal but the way to change the country and implement reforms".

Maricikj reiterated that North Macedonia's goal is EU membership by 2030. He said that the vote on the constitutional changes will take place when the necessary majority of 80 MPs is secured.