he rallies against acceptance of the French proposal for lifting Bulgaria’s blockade on North Macedonia’s EU talks draw on discontent felt across the political spectrum.
Resentment of Bulgaria’s blockade on the start of their country’s EU membership talks, resentment of the EU for allowing it to happen, and resentment of the governing Social Democrats who they feel have betrayed the country.
These are the common sentiments shared by most of the protesters who have hit the streets of North Macedonia’s capital Skopje for the last six days under the slogan, “Ultimatum, No Thanks!” – calling for rejection of the French EU presidency’s proposal for a deal with Bulgaria.
The protests were initially called and led by the main opposition right-wing VMRO DPMNE party. But there is also a significant presence of left-wingers from the pro-Russian Levica [left] party, who say patriotism and leftist ideals are complementary.