The 'Fundamentals' Cluster After von der Leyen's Visit: Praise or Condition
'You're almost at opening the first cluster, but constitutional changes come first' — behind this short sentence from von der Leyen lies a list of five chapters and several areas where reforms are still unfinished.
Von der Leyen said Macedonia is "almost at opening the first cluster," but that this first requires adopting the agreed constitutional amendments. The first cluster — known as "Fundamentals" — covers five negotiating chapters: judiciary and fundamental rights, justice/freedom/security, public procurement, statistics and financial control, with democratic institutions and public administration reform also monitored alongside them.
Beyond constitutional changes, the EU is also demanding concrete rule-of-law reform roadmaps — judicial independence and integrity, a strengthened Judicial Council, better results prosecuting corruption and organized crime. It also demands a "professional, efficient, impartial and accountable" public administration, functioning democratic institutions — parliament, the electoral system, civil society, media freedom — and transparent financial controls protecting EU interests.
A key detail missing from the celebratory statements: opening the cluster doesn't end the reforms, it begins the negotiations — "Fundamentals" formally closes last, and its pace sets the tempo for the entire accession process. So the phrase "you're almost there" is more of a direction than a concrete promised deadline.
MKNews Hub · Macedonia · October 4, 2026
