From VMRO-DPMNE, through Central Committee member Valentin Manasievski, sharp criticism aimed at SDSM and its leader Venko Filipche. The ruling party says they would „be willing to redefine Macedonian history and identity just to grab power".

Manasievski specifically points to the constitutional amendments. In VMRO-DPMNE's view, they are „a new national betrayal" - and one SDSM is ready to push through immediately. „The Bulgarian authorities", Manasievski said, „have made it clear the constitutional amendments are not the final condition they have for Macedonia's entry into the EU."

That's the part that stings the most. VMRO-DPMNE argues that even if Macedonia passes the amendments, Bulgaria will add new conditions. „On one hand SDS and Filipche say Bulgaria has not denied Macedonian identity, and on the other the Bulgarian authorities say every day that the Macedonian nation has existed only since 1945, that the Macedonian language has Bulgarian roots, and that we are one people in two states."

For Balkan readers - this is the reflection of an old and quiet political question. Accepting constitutional amendments by writing Bulgarians into the Constitution is something SDSM has repeatedly called „acceptable". VMRO-DPMNE strongly disagrees. Whose right is the political decision? The voters'. Meanwhile the opposition is for constitutional changes, the government against. When power changes hands - positions may change too.

Manasievski adds: „For SDS and Venko Filipche, Macedonian national interests and Macedonian identity don't matter, and neither do the citizens. What matters to them is grabbing power so they can steal as much as possible." Those are sharp accusations, typical of a party press conference. But the question behind them is real: are constitutional amendments a step toward the EU - or just the entry into a new round of endless demands?

History tests every politician. In 2018, VMRO-DPMNE refused to accept the name „North Macedonia". SDSM accepted it - and Macedonia got a date for EU negotiations. Now it's reversed: VMRO-DPMNE is in power and doesn't want the amendments, SDSM is in opposition and does. Who will end up on the right side of history - that's for the voters to answer. Not the parties.