'Razgovori za idninata vo 12:05' platform asks for state plan to align North Macedonia with Albania and Montenegro on EU path

The platform "Razgovori za idninata vo 12:05" urged political leaders to agree on a state-level plan that would align North Macedonia with Albania and Montenegro on the road to EU accession, after the European Commission's 2026 progress report on the country.

Immediate domestic reforms and a cross-party EU strategy

Organizers said reforms could begin without delay and called on parties to stop using the European Commission reports for short-term political scoring. “We should not wait for changes from within,” the platform said, arguing that anti‑corruption measures and changes to the political and electoral systems can start immediately when there is political will. They pointed to progress in implementing the Reform Agenda, participation in the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and alignment with EU external and security policy as proof that the country can carry out reforms.

The platform listed concrete domestic demands: introducing a single electoral unit for national parliamentary elections and switching to open candidate lists so that voters can influence which individual candidates are elected. They said such changes would strengthen MPs' accountability to voters.

On corruption, the organizers demanded a ban on the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of offences linked to political corruption committed by elected and appointed officials, and full checks into the origin of movable and immovable property of all current and former elected and appointed officials and their close family members. They also reminded readers that amendments to the Criminal Code from 2023 remain a point of serious concern for the European Commission, as reflected again in this year’s report.

The platform criticised mutual accusations within the Albanian political block, saying some party clashes over ethnic and identity issues hide business and tender interests. They also warned about insults and defamation in public discourse aimed at those who express different views.

Economically, the organizers highlighted an EU report finding on VAT refunds: of every 100 denars of VAT collected, 14.3 denars are returned within the legally prescribed period — a figure the platform called one of the most serious economic criticisms in its assessment.

Besides the immediate internal reforms, the platform asked for a broad political and inter‑ethnic agreement covering the constitutional changes and basic legal guarantees it sees as necessary for the next step toward membership, and for an urgent, cross‑party state plan to join Albania and Montenegro on a gradual path into the EU.

Photo: press material from the event