A new study by the Institute for Democracy and the local office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation shows that 62% of North Macedonia’s citizens support the country’s accession to the European Union. However, backing for EU membership remains deeply divided along ethnic lines, with 56% of ethnic Macedonians in favor compared to a significantly higher 82% among ethnic Albanians.
One-third of respondents see EU accession as highly significant, while another third believe it holds no real importance. Notably, the youngest and oldest age groups exhibit the most skepticism.
“This year, we observe that support remains at 62%. The gradual decline we’ve been tracking for a decade appears to have stalled, though it may continue in a broader context. Still, a majority of citizens support EU membership,” said Marko Troshanovski, president of the Institute for Democracy.
Troshanovski added that support has also increased among backers of the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party. However, younger respondents show more openness toward China, while older generations lean toward Russia.
Euroskepticism and Key Barriers
Despite continued majority support for EU accession, skepticism remains, with only 11% of respondents explicitly opposing membership. A significant 25% remain undecided or indifferent.
External factors, rather than domestic issues, are seen as the main obstacles to EU integration. Some 43% of respondents cite opposition from neighboring countries as the biggest challenge. The contentious issue of constitutional amendments—required to open accession negotiations—also remains a dividing factor.
“Regarding EU integration, 20% of respondents support constitutional changes, while others are split between maintaining the status quo, withdrawing from the process, or seeking a renegotiation of the accession framework,” said Anamarija Velinsovska from the Institute for Democracy.
Political Stalemate and Geopolitical Shifts
Government representatives at the presentation of the findings reiterated that the current impasse over EU integration could be resolved through a “delayed-action” approach to constitutional changes.
“North Macedonia has amended its constitution several times, each time based on EU promises that such changes would advance accession talks. However, the EU has failed to deliver on its commitments. It would be naïve to amend the constitution again for another unfulfilled promise,” said Parliament Vice President Antonio Miloshoski, advocating for a phased approach to constitutional changes.
The study was conducted after the U.S. elections but before Donald Trump’s formal return to the White House. It comes at a time when the strength of the transatlantic partnership is being questioned.
While the United States remains the most influential foreign actor in North Macedonia, the survey indicates a nearly 20-percentage-point decline in perceived U.S. influence since 2023.
“The timing of these findings aligns with the Munich Security Conference and ongoing debates about the future of the transatlantic alliance. Europe must recognize both its strengths and limitations. Enlargement policy will face increasing challenges, but the EU must demonstrate its ability to sit at the same table as the U.S. and Russia, particularly in the context of peace negotiations over Ukraine,” said Daniel Brown of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Despite the current 62% support for EU membership, the trend over the past decade shows a significant decline. In 2014, as much as 80% of North Macedonia’s population favored joining the Union.
