The parliament in Skopje, the Republic of North Macedonia, has opened the discussion on the changes to the Constitution of North Macedonia which Bulgaria is demanding. The procedure was started after, on 25 July, the parliamentary Constitutional Issues Committee in the Republic of North Macedonia voted in favour of the need for constitutional changes. 

• PM Denkov: We expect that North Macedonia will include the Bulgarians in its Constitution
  

Sofia is demanding that Bulgarians be included in the Constitution of North Macedonia, as a requirement before Skopje can begin substantive accession negotiations with the EU. For the changes to be put through a two-thirds majority is needed that has not yet been provided. During the first sitting, PM Dimitar Kovačevski stated that the constitutional changes are not a threat to the Macedonian identity, and that the proposal has been made by Skopje, and supported by the EU and the US. However, the sitting was adjourned by the President of parliament Talat Xhaferi, and the voting of the amendments was postponed.