Skopje, 29 March 2026 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski reiterated Sunday the Government would not implement the constitutional amendments as part of the country’s EU accession process under conditions which, he said, directly affect the Macedonian identity, while lacking predictability and a definitive outcome of the process.

“We are in the position that we are in due to the bad criminal and treasonous policies of the previous Government. But these are historical processes, we will fight. In order to implement the principle of Zhivkovism, politicians in our eastern neighbor waited decades for politicians to be born in our country like the previous ones [who were in power] for seven years. So, if that is what is necessary we will also wait for decades. As long as I am Prime Minister, I have no intention of embarking on an adventure with policies that directly affect our identity while also failing to provide predictability and a clear end to the process,” Mickoski said in answer to a journalist’s question about the constitutional amendments.

Referring to the European Union’s position which requires the country to add the Bulgarians to its Constitution in order to progress on its EU path, the Prime Minister reiterated he would not embark on such a “political adventure” at any cost.

“We are not ignoring the elephant, the elephant is in the room, it was brought in by our predecessors. But without having a clear end in sight, without knowing what the Macedonian community in Bulgaria will get, without having clear conclusions from the European Council, we have no intention of embarking on any kind of adventure that will once again lead us to some other political swamp,” Mickoski said.

Mickoski stressed the goal is for the country to be among the leading candidates in the process, without making compromises that would endanger its position. Reforms remain the priority, he said.

“We will do our homework. Our goal is to deliver on the Reform Agenda and everything that comes with it – to be first, to be the true frontrunners, which we are already doing by implementing all the action plans, including the action plan on minorities. In other aspects, we are certainly the best compared to all other Western Balkan countries, and I am convinced that with the June report we will also be the best in the Reform Agenda. After the January report we are already shoulder to shoulder with the best, and in June we will be the best,” Mickoski said.

Mickoski noted that the constitutional changes depend exclusively on VMRO-DPMNE as the largest political party in the country, adding there will be no “puppets” that would implement them.

“If they think that the constitutional changes should be a condition, while we are the best in everything else, then I regret to say there is no good partner for negotiations in the country without the other details being fulfilled. And everyone should know this matter depends exclusively on the largest political party in Macedonia and its leadership, which is VMRO-DPMNE. If anyone lives under the illusion they will once again find some puppets to do something in the country, they are mistaken,” the Prime Minister said.

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