North Macedonia’s Elections Exposed the EU’s Diminished Credibility in the Western Balkans
North Macedonia’s political landscape shifts as VMRO-DPMNE returns to power, highlighting the EU’s fading influence in this Balkan country and recent NATO member. Domestically, weak reforms and low public trust will challenge the new government. Internationally, it must navigate strained relations with Bulgaria while maintaining good ones with Greece, both of which are intertwined with the EU accession talks opened in 2020.