EP rapporteur urges urgent constitutional changes and stronger anti-corruption drive in North Macedonia

The European Parliament’s rapporteur on North Macedonia, Austrian MEP Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA), has called for urgent constitutional amendments and intensified efforts to combat corruption in the country, stressing the need for greater political will to break the current deadlock on EU accession reforms.

In his draft 2025 progress report on North Macedonia – set to be presented to the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) on 26 February – Waitz emphasized that, despite some positive developments, progress remains insufficient in critical areas such as the rule of law, judicial reform, and anti-corruption measures. He described corruption as widespread across multiple sectors and highlighted low public trust in the judiciary, noting that advancing these reforms is essential not only for EU membership but also for strengthening democratic institutions that serve all citizens effectively.

Waitz underscored an “urgent need for greater political will” to overcome the impasse surrounding the adoption of constitutional changes, which he linked to concerns over potential additional bilateral demands from a neighboring country. He stressed that the accession process must remain strictly merit-based and tied to fundamental principles, particularly the rule of law.

“At a time of profound geopolitical changes, Europe must be united,” he stated, referencing Russia’s war in Ukraine, uncertainty in the transatlantic alliance, and threats to the rules-based international order. He added: “North Macedonia has my full support on its path to the EU. I look forward to building a stable, constructive, pro-European, pro-democratic, and enlargement-supporting majority for the report during the upcoming negotiations.”

The draft report urges the European Council to clearly signal its readiness to advance North Macedonia to the next phase of accession negotiations once the conditions from the 18 July 2022 conclusions are fulfilled, while respecting the 2017 Treaty on Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. It calls for consistent dialogue and cooperation with neighboring countries to foster regional stability and mutual trust, welcomes progress on transport corridors 8 and 10, and stresses the need for more investment in infrastructure, energy, and environmental legislation.

Other key points include implementing outstanding recommendations from the OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission, increasing transparency in political party financing and advertising, addressing media ownership concentration, countering disinformation campaigns that undermine democratic values and EU aspirations, improving the situation for non-majority communities (including language rights), and combating discrimination. The report also highlights the importance of constructive inter-party cooperation and effective parliamentary oversight.

The timeline includes negotiations with political groups in March and April, a vote in the AFET Committee in May, and a plenary vote before the European Parliament’s summer recess. The draft serves as a basis for discussions and may be amended.

Thomas Waitz has previously faced accusations of pro-Skopje bias from Bulgarian sources. In 2025, Bulgarian MEP Ivaylo Valchev (ECR) formally complained that Waitz breached transparency rules by failing to disclose meetings with North Macedonian officials during the drafting of an earlier report, alleging compromised neutrality and undue influence favoring Skopje’s positions amid ongoing bilateral disputes. Waitz has rejected these claims, describing them as part of smear campaigns and pressure tactics aimed at slowing North Macedonia’s EU path.