SDSM Introduces 'Red Lines' Resolution for North Macedonia's EU Integration Amidst Local Election Campaign

SDSM Proposes 'Red Lines' Resolution for EU Path

The opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) has introduced a draft resolution outlining 'red lines' for North Macedonia's integration into the European Union. The proposal, presented by SDSM leader Venko Filipce, comes amidst the ongoing local election campaign, which officially commenced on September 29, 2025, ahead of elections scheduled for October 19, 2025. The resolution seeks to define national positions on the EU accession process, particularly concerning the contentious 'French proposal'.

Defining National Identity and Conditions for Accession

The core of the SDSM's proposed 'red lines' resolution focuses on safeguarding North Macedonia's national identity. According to Filipce, the resolution emphasizes the unconditional respect for the linguistic, historical, identity, and cultural characteristics of the Macedonian people, asserting that these elements are non-negotiable with the EU. Furthermore, the resolution states that North Macedonia is prepared to fulfill the obligations of the Negotiating Framework with the EU, including necessary constitutional amendments. However, it stipulates that this should be the final hurdle, without the acceptance of new demands or bilateral identity issues. The SDSM leader expects the Parliament to review and vote on this document, aiming for a national consensus on the matter.

The French Proposal: A Key Element in Accession Talks

The resolution explicitly incorporates the 'French proposal', a negotiation framework advanced by France in June 2022 to unblock North Macedonia's EU accession talks. This proposal was approved by North Macedonia's parliament on July 16, 2022, leading to the official launch of accession negotiations on July 19, 2022. A central requirement of the French proposal, stemming from a Bulgarian veto, mandates that North Macedonia amend its constitution to formally recognize the Bulgarian community as a distinct minority. This constitutional change is a prerequisite for the country to open further negotiating clusters with the EU. The French Ambassador to North Macedonia, Christophe Le Rigolaire, reiterated in March 2025 that the French proposal remains unaltered.

Political Reactions and Ongoing Debate

The SDSM's resolution has elicited responses from other political actors. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, leader of the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party, has stated that he will not consider constitutional amendments without clear guarantees from the EU. Mickoski, whose party won the parliamentary elections on May 8, 2024, accused the SDSM leadership of undermining state positions and compromising national identity. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, also backed by VMRO-DPMNE, expressed a preference for an internal agreement among political parties rather than new 'red lines'. The debate surrounding constitutional changes and the French proposal has been a significant feature of recent election campaigns, highlighting the complex and often challenging path North Macedonia has faced in its nearly two-decade-long pursuit of EU membership, having been a candidate country since 2005.