Transparency International Macedonia continues to carry out its regular monthly activities for monitoring cases and activities related to corrupt behavior and the fight against corruption, which we’ve named “Light & Dark”
The monitoring of these cases has received significant attention, both in the public sphere and among domestic and foreign relevant stakeholders, and over time, it has evolved into a relevant indicator for measuring corruption and assessing the government’s willingness to address this issue.
“DARK” OCCURRENCES FOR NOVEMBER 2025
The Ministry of Health Commission reveals: 10 out of 19 surgeries were unnecessary – The initial analysis of the commission investigating cases of malpractice involving cardiac surgical procedures shows that out of 25 examined cases, 10 surgeries were performed without justification, while six cases will be forwarded to the State Health and Sanitary Inspectorate, as the commission has no jurisdiction over them. Of the total 19 cases that were thoroughly reviewed, nearly half were assessed as unnecessary. The commission also announced a second phase of the analysis, which will include entering the institutions and thoroughly examining the cardiovascular treatment of patients. The reaction of the health authorities came after Dr. Sashko Kedev stated that private clinics were performing unnecessary surgeries for profit.
European Commission: The independence and financial autonomy of the judiciary are undermined by other branches of power – Overall, there is no progress. This is how the European Commission summarizes its assessment of North Macedonia in the section concerning the judiciary and fundamental rights in the country’s 2025 EU Progress Report. In the area of combating corruption, the European Commission’s evaluation is identical to that of the judiciary, stating that the country is “between a certain and moderate level of preparedness and has made no progress in preventing and fighting corruption.” The 2025 Report also notes that the tragedy in the so-called “Puls” cabaret in Kochani revealed persistent systemic challenges related to the implementation of anti-corruption measures. The indictment against the president of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, Tatjana Dimitrovska, which led to her resignation, is another issue highlighted in the report, and which, according to the EC, has called into question the credibility of this institution. In this context, the European Commission provides critical recommendations to the Anti-corruption Commission regarding actions it should take within its competencies.
Industry can now burn any type of waste and legally hide it from citizens as a “Trade Secret” – Members of Parliament have adopted the Law on Industrial Emissions Control, which is intended to regulate pollution from industrial facilities in the country. The organization “Green Humane City” (ZHG) says the law is scandalous and enables industrialists and business owners to hide what kind of waste they burn in their factories under the guise of a “trade secret.” “The industry will have the right to conceal information related to the design, activity, or operations of a building or installation; the composition or use of certain raw materials, chemicals, or other materials or products if these are classified as a trade secret! This would mean that an ordinary citizen would have no right to know whether, for example, Usje is burning waste, rubber, or any other toxic element! Measures taken to reduce environmental damage identified during the closure of an installation may also be hidden as information (Article 24, Paragraph 8).”
State Audit Office: The Film Agency repeats the same irregularities, operates without strategy or internal control – Weaknesses and irregularities in the operations of the Film Agency have not been resolved and continue to persist, concludes the State Audit Office (SAO) in the Final Audit Report on the operations of the Film Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia for 2024. The audit found that producers who received funds through public calls and whose films are completed and have premiered are not submitting the full documentation required to prove the gross profit generated from their film projects. State Audit Office Finds irregularities in Prilep Hospital in 2024,– Prilep’s “Borka Taleski” Hospital spent funds without adhering to relevant legal regulations, especially in conducting public procurement, with irregularities in cash operations and handling of cash funds, according to the State Audit Office audit for 2024. In its report, the State Audit Office issued adverse opinions regarding the accuracy and objectivity of the financial statements, as well as the compliance of financial transactions with legal regulations.
Company founded last year receives an €8 million state tender — has only two employees – Although the company Digital One was established only in August 2024, its results have been exceptionally strong, achieving revenues of around €570,000 and a net profit of approximately €17,400. The company, founded just last year, has so far won six tenders, four of which came from the Government’s General Secretariat, according to Faktor. The latest tender awarded to Digital One, for software licenses for a virtual platform, exceeds €8 million and represents a framework agreement valid until 2028. Planned annual amounts are: around €16,300 for 2025; approximately €2.26 million for 2026; about €2.28 million for 2027; and roughly €2.28 million for 2028. On May 14, the company signed its first-ever contract with a state institution — the Government’s General Secretariat. On that day, two major contracts were signed: one worth nearly €11 million and another worth around €10 million, both for the procurement of IT equipment, spare parts, and consumables.
ODIHR notes unequal conditions for smaller parties and independent candidates – The second round of local elections was in line with OSCE and international standards, according to the preliminary conclusion of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission. They noted that the second round offered a range of political options for mayoral candidates, but not all had equal access to paid political programs.
Media monitoring during the second round showed that overall coverage remained balanced, but the allocation of funds for paid political advertising favored the major parties, placing smaller parties and independent candidates at a disadvantage, stated Matteo Mecacci, head of the ODIHR observation mission. According to ODIHR, the electoral legislation in the country provides a technical basis for democratic elections, but numerous inconsistencies and gaps remain in areas related to election administration, media access, and mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes. ODIHR again identified discrimination against smaller parties in paid political advertising during the second round as well. Anti-Corruption Commission calls for clearer rules on media representation during election campaigns – Ambiguous terminology that can be interpreted differently, incomplete coverage of all campaign participants, and inconsistencies in defining campaign participants in relation to advertising space in electronic media. These are the three regulatory risks identified by the Anti-Corruption Commission in the Electoral Code regarding media representation. The report from the anti-corruption review of specific provisions of the Electoral Code will be submitted to institutions with the aim of harmonizing certain articles — to clarify the definition of an election campaign participant and to ensure equal access to paid political advertising for all participants.
“LIGHT” OCCURRENCES FOR NOVEMBER 2025
Around ten tax administration employees detained for bribery and abuse of office linked to the Kochani tragedy – Around ten employees of the Public Revenue Office have been detained in a procedure led by the Kochani Public Prosecutor’s Office for abuse of official position and authority, as well as for accepting bribes. Proceedings have been initiated against a total of 11 individuals suspected of corrupt activities related to the operation of “Puls.” Among the suspects are tax controllers from the Tax Control Service at the Regional Tax Inspectorate in the Shtip directorate, tax inspectors and managers from the regional offices of the Public Revenue Office in Shtip and Strumica, as well as an inspector from the State Market Inspectorate.
Criminal charges filed against former officials in Saraj and Skopje – The Financial Police Administration has filed criminal charges against eight former officials and employees from the Municipality of Saraj and the City of Skopje, as well as against a supervising engineer, on suspicion of abuse of office, negligent work, and falsification or destruction of business records. According to the Administration, the accused individuals prepared and approved documents with false information including calculations for construction land development fees despite being aware that no detailed urban plan existed for the cadastral parcel in Saraj.
Director of the Payment Agency and three others suspected of bribery placed in detention – The Director of the Agency for Financial Support in Agriculture and Rural Development, along with three other suspects in the bribery case, has been placed in 30-day detention after the court accepted the Prosecutor’s request. The director and the other suspects are accused of negotiating a bribe of €50,000 for funds from the IPARD program from a former MP and minister, who allegedly promised the money but gave the arrested director €400, with which he was caught. The 77-year-old former MP and minister for local self-government and justice is also being placed in effective custody according to the court decision.
Police Operation: Abuse of State Grain Reserves – The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje has initiated proceedings against five individuals for abuse of official position and authority under Article 353, paragraph 5 in connection with paragraphs 4 and 1 of the Criminal Code.
The operation includes managers from the Agency for Commodity Reserves, an expert from the Evaluation Bureau, and a former deputy minister of agriculture. They are suspected of committing abuses involving the state grain reserves. The damage is estimated at €780,000.
The suspects allegedly abused their positions by failing to fulfill their official duties. Although obliged to inform the Government about the actual situation in the Public Enterprise for Stock Exchange Operations “Agro Berza” – Skopje, they submitted inaccurate data and information regarding an unjustified shortage of mercantile wheat and barley during 2019–2021. With these actions, they acted contrary to the Law on Commodity Reserves.
