"First peace and alignment within the EU, then enlargement" - that's the message from Hungary's new leader Peter Magyar, the election winner who toppled Viktor Orban after 16 years in power. Magyar insists on "strict criteria" for accession and says "Russia cannot be ignored."

For candidate countries like Macedonia, this isn't good news. While European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had pushed for accelerated, geopolitically motivated enlargement, the new reality on the ground is different. Even Orban's fall didn't clear the path - his successor is setting new conditions.

The message is clear: the EU will have to resolve its internal problems before admitting new members. And for the Balkans, "waiting at the door" continues - just now with a new host setting new rules.