Transparency International-Macedonia, in its latest monthly corruption report, which highlights cases and actions related to corrupt behavior and the fight against corruption, highlights negative audits of state institutions, political parties, but also events surrounding the election of new members of the Judicial Council and the election of the Public Prosecutor.
In VMRO-DPMNE, the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), the auditors expressed a qualified opinion on the truthfulness and objectivity of the financial statements. The main observations relate to the structure of income and expenses, outstanding liabilities to suppliers, improper accounting and payment of membership fees above the legal limit.
Some recommendations from past audits are still in the process of implementation, due to court proceedings or unresolved property ownership status.
Audits for “loopholes”
Among the “murky” developments in the new February Corruption Barometer are the audits with an unfavorable opinion on the finances of the Ministry of Defense for 2024. Namely, the State Audit Office (SAO) audited the 2024 financial statements of the Ministry of Defense and expressed an unfavorable opinion on their accuracy and compliance with the legal regulations.
In addition, it was determined that many recommendations from previous audits have not been implemented, and the financial records for funds, materials, reserves and liabilities to suppliers are incomplete.
The State Audit Office (SAO) identified a number of irregularities in the 2024 operation of the Government’s General and Common Affairs Service. The auditors’ report states that the services provided in the restaurants and buffets managed by the Service generated income collected in cash in the millions, but the daily market paid in certain periods of the year was significantly low.
The Judicial Council in Focus
The majority in the Judicial Council rejected the proposal to interview candidates for constitutional judges. On February 4, at a session of the Judicial Council, new member Suzana Joshevska-Anastasovska proposed that when determining a candidate for constitutional judge from among the judges, the Judicial Council should also conduct interviews – with a set questionnaire that is the same for all candidates and a live broadcast to the public. Eight members of the Council, including President Aleksandar Kambovski, voted against the initiative within the framework of a package of amendments to the Rules of Procedure of this body.
Extending the deadline for illegal constructions is an extension of lawlessness, reacts “Chance for Centar”, alluding to the proposed five years to extend the validity of the Law on Handling Illegally Constructed Facilities.
“Chance for Centar” reminds that the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption (SCPC) warned of high risks of corruption five years ago.
The latest corruption barometer also notes the criticism from the Platform against Corruption, which said that the selection of a public prosecutor is not a political decision, and that the Prime Minister’s statements may influence the process.
The Platform of Civil Society Organizations for the Fight against Corruption informs that it is closely following the process for the selection of a new state public prosecutor, hence their reaction to the statements made by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, who said that only prosecutor Lenche Ristoska was the only one to drop out of the government’s list of candidates for the position.
There were also some positive things
Among the positive developments in February is the indictment of a former minister.
A former minister requested money from IPARD funds, but his company did not meet the requirements, so he offered and gave a bribe, so that the director of the Agency for Financial Support in Agriculture and Rural Development would turn a blind eye and approve the European money. He offered a bribe of 50,000 euros, but it is not reported how much money he was supposed to take.
The Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecuting Organized Crime and Corruption (PPO OCC) filed charges against nine individuals and one company. The prime suspect for bribing and for giving a reward for unlawful influence is the former Minister of Justice and Local Self-Government.
A second positive case noted is the criminal complaint against four individuals from Kochani for abuse of official position in a public procurement of MKD 1.4 million.
In 2025, the SCPC received a complaint via email from a known complainant with allegations that the law was violated during the elections because an authorized person in a public enterprise used public resources – he gave the public enterprise’s buses to be branded with photos of a candidate (political advertising).
The SCPC requested documents from the public enterprise and assessed that the buses, as assets owned by the public enterprise, are public resources.
