The presidential and parliamentary elections which took place last week in North Macedonia shook the country’s inert political scene. The country got its first female President, who assumed office by omitting “North” when swearing to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of (North) Macedonia. There will be a new government led by the centre-right, conservative party VMRO DPMNE who also nominated the aforementioned President, Gordana Siljanovska – Davkova.

If we look into the background of the previous SDSM-led ruling coalition, the results and the landslide win for VMRO DPMNE in the presidential and parliamentary elections will make sense. It would be a bold statement, but not far from the truth that a part of the responsibility for the failure of the “most pro-European government in the Western Balkans” is to be found in the EU’s failure to deliver on its promises to a candidate for membership for already 20 years. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen immediately reacted to the “hiccup” at the inauguration of Siljanovska-Davkova, reminding of the importance of full respect of the Prespa agreement on the country’s successful path to the EU. But in fact, that path has been far from successful. It hasn’t even started yet, as the country has not even begun negotiations.