While the region races toward Europe, Macedonia is again arguing over who stalled it. The new Electoral Code remains blocked - the parties aren't a single step closer to agreement, and the deadline is July 15. The main point of contention? The voting of Macedonians who live abroad. A classic Balkan scene: an important law stuck on a detail that each side uses to pin the blame on the other.

The matter isn't only domestic. The adoption of the new code is directly tied to the EU's Reform Agenda, which foresees financial support of 4 million euros through the Growth Plan. If there's no agreement by July 15, at risk is not only that inflow, but also the trust in the ability of Macedonian institutions to carry out serious reforms. In other words - once again we're putting a stone in our own path toward Europe.

VMRO-DPMNE has backed away from two essential points: from electronic voting for people abroad (demanding postal voting) and from the agreement that the State Election Commission's bylaws be adopted by consensus. The opposition, for its part, claims the government is obstructing. EU commissioner Marta Kos issued a clear call to Skopje - reach a consensus. When Europe has to tell you to "reach an agreement," that alone shows something is deeply broken.

This is a story Macedonia has been living for decades: every European step snags on an internal quarrel, and then everyone wonders why the neighbors overtake us. The voting of our people abroad is an important issue and deserves a serious debate - but not as a hostage in a standoff between parties a few days before a deadline. The question isn't who is right about postal or electronic voting. The question is why we again choose a quarrel over an agreement, when the whole country pays the price.