Macedonia's stalled electoral law threatens EU funding and reforms

North Macedonia has failed to adopt a new electoral law, with the ruling VMRO‑DPMNE accusing opposition parties SDSM, DUI and Levica of blocking the reform for political gain. The government warns that the delay could jeopardise up to €4 million of European Union funds linked to the Reform Agenda, while opposition figures claim the real loss reaches billions of euros.

The contested law would introduce a single electoral unit, end paid political advertising, and allow overseas (diaspora) voting by mail. Levica has insisted on these changes, but VMRO‑DPMNE has shifted focus to diaspora voting as a “red line”, prompting accusations of political maneuvering. Critics say the existing system favours larger parties and perpetuates disproportionate seat allocation, while the continuation of paid political advertising could divert around €10 million of public money to major parties.

Both sides frame the impasse as a struggle over Macedonia’s European integration path, with EU bodies monitoring progress on the Reform Agenda. The stalemate remains unresolved as the deadline passes, leaving the country’s reform trajectory and funding prospects uncertain.