Skopje, 11 November 2025 (MIA) - Constitutional Court president Darko Kostadinovski commented on the latest EC Progress Report, expressing concern about the long-standing "status quo" in the country's legal system.

He criticized the Parliament for disregarding the decisions of the Constitutional Court and warned that if necessary changes are not made, the court will make final decisions. Kostadinovski also mentioned the controversial laws on the 'Balancer' instrument, the amendments to the Criminal Code and the Law on the Use of Languages, announcing deadlines and possible steps towards resolution.

"The latest report does not establish progress in certain areas, especially in the judiciary, the fight against corruption, crime. However, it does not establish regression either. We have been in a "status quo" situation for a long time, and it is not good at all. Citizens have complete distrust in the entire state apparatus," Kostadinovski told Telma TV on Tuesday.

As regards the two laws noted in the EC report, specifically the 'Balancer' instrument, Kostadinovski said a new equitable ethnic representation bill has been drafted and is currently being assessed by the Venice Commission.

"I hope that this bill will be in line with our legal positions on the abolition of the 'Balancer'. That is, to strike a balance between equitable and appropriate representation and what merit, expertise and competence mean," he pointed out.

On the amendments to the Criminal Code, which was also noted in the EC report, he said they caused "irreparable damage" to the legal order and announced that if the Parliament does not make the necessary amendments by the last session of the court in December, the Constitutional Court will put the matter on the agenda and decide itself.

"The six-month deadline expired in August. We had an understanding, as a Court, about the electoral process, as such major things are not appropriate during elections. But the elections are over now. As the president of the Constitutional Court, I am obliged to preserve its credibility. We cannot indefinitely allow the Parliament to continue with a practice of constitutional indiscipline. The Parliament is obliged, if it respects the Constitution, and it is obliged to respect it, to respect our decisions, because our decisions by virtue of the Constitution are final, enforceable and generally binding. But the Parliament has not done so to this point," said Kostadinovski. 

Regarding the Law on the Use of Languages, Kostadinovski said he will request an opinion from the reporting judge by the end of the month, and the matter will be brought to a session by February at the latest.

Photo: print screen