Skopje, 3 January 2026 (MIA) - We should stand behind our positions and insist on a guarantee from the EU - that the constitutional changes will be the final demand from Bulgaria. If we get the guarantee, we will change the Constitution but the revision will enter into effect on the day of our full-fledged membership in the Union. We have not received such a guarantee for the time being, says Deputy PM for Political System, Ljupcho Dimovski, in an interview with MIA.

Dimovski says DUI's demands for a Badinter vote in the Constitutional Court and the Government election is party folklore and an attempt to redefine and recompose the country's system but also put nationalism back to the forefront for their own benefit.

He does not know exactly when the Electoral Code amendments would be adopted but notes that any change would require political consensus.

The Deputy PM says no migrant agreement has been signed, adding that the Government and the Parliament have already adopted a decision on extension of the migrant state of crisis in 2026.

Mr. Dimovski, what is your position on the constitutional changes?

We presented this stance during the election campaign, pointing to the citizens the real state of play regarding the additional revision of incorporating Bulgarians into the Constitution, although there are historic implications in all of this, because the Macedonian state is founded on the provisions of the Anti-Fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM) and the broader historic dimension. Nevertheless, we were aware that we should be guided by the interests of the Republic of Macedonia and the start of the EU accession negotiations.

This is the requirement, on the basis of the Bulgaria Friendship Treaty that the then-parliamentary majority adopted in Parliament, followed by the so-called historical commission and the two protocols that are even worse than the treaty itself. That is why we were even more careful and aware that the incorporation of Macedonian citizens who feel as Bulgarians in the Constitution would not be the final demand from Bulgaria, and that we would face new barriers in the future, considering that we are being denied of our history, identity, language, culture...Therefore, we urged for a conditional revision of the Constitution, with EU guarantees included, that this would be the final requirement from Bulgaria. We have not received such a guarantee until now and we are standing behind our position. We are following the opinion of the majority of country's citizens.

Personally, I am not convinced in the sincerity of Brussels' positions towards Macedonia, because the country has made serious concessions in order to start the accession negotiations. In addition, Moldova and Ukraine, countries that are far behind us, are pushed forward and we are put in a subordinated position. It is obvious this is a political assessment - who is fit to join the EU and who should invest additional efforts. These are painful concessions on the part of Macedonia. This being said, we believe we should continue to stand behind our positions and insist on guarantees, because we feel, as many have said - Macedonia is part of the European continent, its culture and civilization, and it is natural for it to be part of the European family. Our requirement is not that big of a deal, but simply to pay respect to the Macedonian people for the concessions it must make towards Bulgaria.

How optimistic are you that the EU will respect this principle?

I think that Europe currently has other priorities and Macedonia is somewhere on the sidelines in Brussels. We are in a much more advanced stage, considering that a large portion of the Acquis has been aligned. If we get the guarantee, I believe that we can make up for lost time very quickly. But this requires good will from the other side as well. If we get the guarantee, we will implement the constitutional changes and they will enter into effect on the day of the country's EU accession.

Your Socialist Party of Macedonia has responded to DUI's demands for a Badinter vote in the Constitutional Court and the Government election. Your thoughts?

This would mean a redefinition and recomposition of the country's system. I think this is political folklore and someone wants to put nationalism back to the forefront because of own benefit. This is where this demand comes from. I cannot agree with this, both as Deputy PM and party leader.

The Government is functioning properly with the legitimate representatives of ethnic Albanians. The recent results of the local elections confirmed this, considering the number of local council members and mayors. I believe the interests of ethnic Albanians are fully represented both in the Parliament and the Government.

DUI is reopening these issues because it suits the party, the objective being to recoup the lost rating among voters.

SDSM has pushed the migrant topic over the past month, accusing the Government of agreeing to welcome to the country people who are not welcome in Great Britain. The Prime Minister says there is no such agreement. What do you say?

No agreement has been signed, no tasks have been undertaken regarding this matter involving migrants. The Macedonian border is the bullwark of migrant corridors for illegal entry into EU member-states. That is why officers from several countries support our forces in preventing the entry of migrants. Second, the Government has passed a decision to extend the migrant state of crisis until the end of 2026, the 14th decision of this type. This decision is the Government's denial over the signing of some migrant agreement.

Is there any progress in the Electoral Code amendments?

The amendments mostly relate to the Code's alignment with the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. We are currently working on the final recommendations. However, let me stress that any change of the Electoral Code requires political consensus. All political factors will have their own demands but a consensus will eventually have to be found. We'll see if there are changes in the electoral districts or the lists, is it possible, would it be beneficial. These are serious aspects that require consent from all political stakeholders.

I cannot guess when the Electoral code amendments will be finished or adopted. I am sure that the Ministry of Justice has done its job and further discussions are pending with political parties, in order to have consensus.

Based on your past experience as minister of agriculture, what is your view on the inflation, food prices? Should certain measures be undertaken?

The rise of food prices is not exlcusive for Macedonia, it is a global trend. If basic food products go up worldwide, we cannot be an exception. Unfortunately, we are dependant on imports, since agriculture production dropped dramatically over the past seven years, while imports of agriculture and food products have risen. How can we expect lower prices when we depend on imports? Yes, the Government made attempts to restrict margins and other sets of measures, but no government has ever managed to fully solve this problem, because these are stock market indicators. Nevertheless, the Government is working on reducing the price pressure. We count on corporate responsibility but observance of the laws as well. We also have to work on a new agriculture policy, namely to increase domestic production and lower imports. A new law on agriculture and rural development should be adopted, setting new criteria and policies regarding subsidies. Results cannot come overnight, the process requires 2-3 years.

On the other hand, Macedonia has the second-lowest inflation in Europe of nearly four percent, and it is set to drop to three percent in 2026. We have to prop up the GDP through investments, new production capacities, new jobs. The Government is starting to attract our nationals living abroad to come back and bring their businesses here. In addition, we believe that budget consumption should focus on the realization of strategic projects in road and railway infrastructure etc.

Mirjana Chakarova

Photo: Darko Popov