The French Proposal: A Turning Point in the Balkans or a Dead End?

Abstract

North Macedonia’s long-standing bid for EU accession was hindered by a Bulgarian veto that had lasted for two years until a French proposal emerged as a last-minute solution. However, this proposal presents potential pitfalls for new vetoes and has exacerbated political polarization in North Macedonia, thereby threatening inter- ethnic relations in the country. The proposal requires North Macedonia to include ethnic Bulgarians in its constitutional preamble, a move that seems unlikely given the opposition’s firm resistance to any such constitutional amendment. This raises questions about the EU’s decision to comply with the Bulgarian demands and the likelihood of achieving a sustainable solution to long-standing bilateral issues.