How to Save Macedonian Democratic Consolidation and EU Enlargement?
Palabras clave:
EU enlargement, democratic consolidation, Western Balkans, Macedonia, crisisResumen
European Union (EU) enlargement is under threat. There is little enthusiasm among European member states for further enlarging the Union. The slowing down of the EU integration process in the Western Balkans has been accompanied by a slowdown in investment in the region by EU member states. The slow process of enlargement has negatively affected citizens’ perceptions in the region. In the Western Balkans populist and authoritarian tendencies have grown. Macedonia is the exemplary of these processes. New regional powers, such as Turkey, Russia, and China threaten to use the impasse in the EU enlargement process. It is necessary to improve democratic consolidation in the Western Balkans and the EU to aid the process. Consolidation of democracy in the region depends on elite consensus and cooperation as well as remodelling key public institutions to be powerful and independent from party influences. The case of Macedonia is important to consider as this country has been for long time candidate foe EU accession without being able to start negotiations. Tough reforms and European assistance are necessary to invigorate the democratization process in Macedonia and move on the enlargement agenda.
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