Democracy Under Review: North Macedonia and the EU’s 2024 Enlargement Package

In this episode of European Talks by the European Policy Centre, host Miloš Pavković sits down with Stefan Ristovski, a researcher with expertise in regional cooperation, economic reform, and the EU integration of North Macedonia and the Western Balkans. The discussion centres on the European Commission’s latest enlargement package, providing a thorough analysis of the democratic landscape, regional reforms, and the future of EU accession for the Western Balkans. Ristovski offers a critical look at the European Commission’s evolving approach in its 2024 reports, highlighting both the package’s more direct language and its selective focus on certain countries. While Moldova and Montenegro receive positive feedback for electoral reforms, North Macedonia faces concerns about political polarisation and challenges in democratic institution-building. Ristovski reflects on the current political climate in North Macedonia, which has been marked by a recent government change and stalled accession talks due to unresolved issues with Bulgaria, leading to delayed EU negotiations. The conversation also dives into the regional assessment variances between EU, Freedom House, and V-Dem reports, noting the Commission’s new “mostly satisfactory” assessment for North Macedonia, compared to Freedom House’s classification as a hybrid regime. Ristovski discusses the need for standardised reporting on civil oversight in intelligence sectors and questions the transparency of the Commission’s evaluative framework. Looking to the future, Pavkovic and Ristovski explore the potential pathways and challenges for North Macedonia’s EU membership, especially in light of the EU's 2030 enlargement target, where Montenegro currently leads. Although optimistic, Ristovski š the importance of North Macedonia’s commitment to democratic reform, even if the 2030 goal is ambitious. This episode is supported by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Policy Center, and other regional partners, aiming to foster insightful dialogue on the pressing issues shaping the future of EU integration in the Western Balkans.