The Democratic Union for Integration party, representing the Albanian minority in North Macedonia, has proposed withdrawing its ministers from the government in response to opposition demands, in order to pave the way for EU membership talks. It stated that the resignation of its ministers would only take effect if the opposition Macedonian National Unity Party votes in favor of constitutional changes to recognize a Bulgarian minority, a condition set by Bulgaria for allowing the country to join the EU.
Last year, the Parliament of North Macedonia approved an agreement mediated by France aimed at resolving the dispute with Bulgaria, which had vetoed the talks between Skopje and the EU. Bulgaria lifted its veto on the condition that North Macedonia amend its constitution to recognize a Bulgarian minority. The opposition protested the agreement, arguing that it should also include Sofia's demand for the recognition of the Macedonian language. However, the opposition party stated last month that it would support the constitutional changes if the Democratic Union for Integration left the government, among other conditions. North Macedonia has been a candidate for EU membership for 17 years, but Greece first blocked the approval of the talks, followed by Bulgaria.
