In a scathing interview, former North Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski accused the country’s new government of veering away from democratic principles, mismanaging foreign relations, and aligning with controversial global leaders. As Skopje deepens ties with governments criticized for authoritarian practices, Pendarovski warned that the Balkan nation is losing its way — and potentially, its future in the European Union.
His comments come amid growing criticism of a recent agreement with the United Kingdom and increased enthusiasm in the government for cooperation with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency.
“We are moving toward countries that are not democratic,” Pendarovski told DW, calling the new government’s foreign policy “colossally amateurish.”
No Strategic Deal with UK, Just More Debt?
On Wednesday, North Macedonia’s parliament ratified what the government dubbed a “strategic partnership” agreement with the United Kingdom. Officials hailed it as a historic step with major economic benefits. Critics say it’s merely a vague memo with undefined terms and an open path to deeper debt with minimal accountability.
“There is no strategic agreement with the UK,” Pendarovski said. “What was signed is essentially a letter of intent—certainly not a strategic partnership.”
He noted that the document references potential credit financing by the UK for future infrastructure projects in North Macedonia, but includes no binding plans or defined projects.
UK’s Hidden Migration Agenda?
Pendarovski also questioned the United Kingdom’s true motives. Citing British media, he claimed London’s real interest may lie in establishing migration processing centers in the Balkans.
“There’s no altruism in international politics,” he said. “Why would the UK fund hospital renovations in North Macedonia unless it benefits them? The answer may be in housing migrants that Britain wants to keep out.”
Though the government has denied such plans, Pendarovski cited a statement by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in which he said the topic had “not yet been discussed” — leaving the door open.
“All We Got From Trump Were Tariffs”
Pendarovski also criticized the current government’s embrace of Donald Trump’s administration in the U.S., labeling it naïve and driven by wishful thinking.
“The only thing we got from Trump were tariffs,” he said. “We were promised a privileged position — instead, we got the same treatment as everyone else.”
He criticized North Macedonia’s sudden pivot toward individuals close to Trump, including former diplomats and lobbyists, saying the approach was based on transactional assumptions that overlooked Trump’s core focus: money and self-interest.
“What can we offer someone like Trump? Absolutely nothing,” he added.
EU Path Abandoned?
The former president also accused the government of abandoning the EU integration process, citing the refusal to amend the constitution to include Bulgaria’s conditions — a key requirement for further progress.
“This government has no intention of moving toward the EU,” he said. “Instead, it’s aligning with EU members like Hungary, who are at odds with Brussels. Why not partner with Germany? Why Orbán?”
He added that symbolic gestures toward Europe are meaningless without concrete action: “You can’t say you’re pro-European and model yourself after countries that undermine European values.”
Internal Governance in Chaos
Domestically, Pendarovski painted a picture of chaos and authoritarian drift. He said Prime Minister Mickoski is sidelining ministers and concentrating power, while making troubling interventions in judicial and prosecutorial bodies.
“Unqualified people are being placed in key security positions,” he warned, citing recent scandals involving falsified credentials and threats to the independence of the judiciary.
He likened the current path to the fallout following the NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008, where a previous VMRO-DPMNE-led government took a sharp nationalist turn after a diplomatic setback.
“Strategic Vision Nowhere in Sight”
When asked to summarize the government’s long-term goals, Pendarovski was blunt:
“There is no vision. No strategy. Just improvisation and populism.”
As North Macedonia nears one year under the new government, the former president’s warning is stark: without course correction, the country could find itself isolated — politically, economically, and diplomatically.