SDSM accuses Constitutional Court of political bias over migration resolution

The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) has challenged a decision by the Constitutional Court to dismiss an initiative regarding a parliamentary resolution on illegal migration. The party alleges that the court's ruling is politically motivated, noting its timing follows recent statements by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski regarding the need for tens of thousands of foreign workers.

Nikoloski recently suggested a need for 50,000 foreign workers annually, while Mickoski mentioned figures exceeding 100,000 could be necessary to address labor shortages. SDSM argues that the original resolution, passed in December 2025, was an attempt to silence opposition criticism of government economic policies and violates Article 16 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and prohibits censorship.

The Constitutional Court unanimously rejected the initiative, stating that the resolution is a declarative political act rather than a legal regulation that produces immediate legal consequences. Consequently, the court ruled there was no basis to evaluate its constitutionality. SDSM members have raised concerns about political influence over the judiciary, coinciding with European Commission notes regarding pressure within the judicial system.