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 & Bleak”
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.
“BLEAK” OCCURRENCES FOR FEBRUARY 2026
STATE AUDIT OFFICE WITH SEVERAL NEGATIVE AUDITS LAST MONTH
Audit of Political Parties for 2024 – Concerns About Financial Statements of VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM, and DUI – For VMRO-DPMNE, the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, and the Democratic Union for Integration, auditors expressed a qualified opinion regarding the accuracy and objectivity of the financial statements. The main findings relate to the structure of revenues and expenses, unpaid obligations to suppliers, improper bookkeeping, and membership fee payments exceeding the legal limit. Some recommendations from previous audits are still in the process of being implemented due to ongoing court proceedings or unresolved property ownership issues. Adverse Opinion on the Defense Ministry’s Finances for 2024 – The State Audit Office conducted an audit of the Ministry of Defense’s financial statements for 2024 and issued an adverse opinion regarding their accuracy and compliance with legal regulations. It was found that many recommendations from previous audits have not been implemented, and financial records for funds, materials, inventory, and obligations to suppliers are incomplete. Audit of the General and Common Affairs Service in 2024: Identified Irregularities – The State Audit Office identified a series of irregularities in the operations of the General and Common Affairs Service of the Government for 2024. The auditors’ report states that revenues from services provided in the restaurants and cafeterias managed by the Service were collected in cash in large sums, but the deposited daily amounts during certain periods of the year were significantly lower. Audit Report for the State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate: Outdated List of Prohibited Substances in Cosmetics, Risk of Harmful Products Reaching the Market – Auditors found that in the area of import inspection, there are risks because invoices and health certificates are in multiple foreign languages, which could lead to insufficiently verified authenticity and safety of products. The audit also revealed deficiencies in inspection of sanitary and health protection, lack of supporting documentation, incomplete inventories, and inaccurate payment of high-risk work allowances. Additionally, the list of prohibited substances in cosmetics has not been updated since 2010, creating a risk of harmful products entering the market. Audit Shows irregularities Identified in the State Archives – Weaknesses were found in the inventory of receivables and liabilities, irregularities in revenue collection, provision of discounts and gifts, payment of allowances without legal basis, VAT payments for services related to core activities, and weaknesses in the implementation and execution of public procurement – the State Audit Office notes in the audit report for the State Archives of the Republic of North Macedonia.
The Majority of 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 selecting a candidate for constitutional judge from among the judges, the Judicial Council should also conduct interviews — using a standardized questionnaire for all candidates and broadcasting the interviews live for the public. Eight members of the Council, including Chairman Aleksandar Kambovski, voted against the initiative as part of a package of amendments to the Council’s Rules of Procedure.
Extension of the Deadline for Illegal Constructions is an Extension of Lawlessness, Reacts “Chance for Centar” – “Illegal constructions are normal, you are abnormal if you build legally,” the state seems to say. Extending the deadline for legalization is a solution for prolonging lawlessness, reacts the initiative “Chance for Centar,” referring to the proposed five-year extension of the validity of the Law on Handling Illegally Built Structures. “Chance for Centar” reminds that the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption warned five years ago about high corruption risks. Instead of reform and analysis of non-functional procedures, the initiative says, now another extension is being offered.
Platform of civic organization for fight against corruption: The Selection of a Public Prosecutor is Not a Political Decision; Prime Minister’s Statements May Influence the Process – The platform of civil society organizations fighting corruption announced that it is closely monitoring the process of selecting a new State Public Prosecutor, and this is the context for their reaction to statements made by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, who said that only Prosecutor Lenche Ristoska was excluded from the government’s list of candidates for the position. “In this regard, we point out that public statements by the Prime Minister, which preemptively exclude certain candidates while the Government has not yet made a decision, create a risk of political influence over the process. Especially considering that these are candidates who have already been determined to meet the legal criteria, such statements can undermine trust in equal treatment and in the integrity of the procedure. The selection of the State Public Prosecutor is not a political, but an institutional decision with significant implications for the rule of law and the criminal justice system,” the reaction states.
“LIGHT” OCCURRENCES FOR FEBRUARY 2026
Charges Against Former Minister and Former Director – Nine Accused of Bribery with IPARD Funds – A former minister allegedly requested money from IPARD funds even though his company did not meet the eligibility criteria, offering and giving bribes to the Director of the Agency for Financial Support in Agriculture and Rural Development to turn a blind eye and approve European funds. He offered a €50,000 bribe, though the total amount he was supposed to receive has not been disclosed. The Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption filed charges against nine individuals and one company. The primary accused, a former Minister of Justice and Local Self-Government, is charged with giving a bribe and offering a reward for illegal influence. He allegedly, as the director of a company from Struga’s Velesta area, gave €5,000 to three people to influence the process and also offered and gave money to the former Director of the Agency for Financial Support in Agriculture and Rural Development to sign approvals. The same person is accused of expecting €50,000. Four additional agency employees are charged with abuse of official position for approving the application without the required documents.
Criminal Charges for Four Individuals from Kochani for Abuse of Office in a Public Procurement of 1.4 Million Denars – A former director of the public utility company “Vodovod” in Kochani, a former employee, and two other employees received criminal charges for abuse of office in a public procurement, which allegedly allowed illegal financial gain of 1,406,306 denars, the Ministry of Interior reported. According to the report, the second accused acted as chairman, while the third and fourth accused were members of the procurement commission. In 2021, they conducted the procedure contrary to the Public Procurement Law. Tender documentation included specifications for products that allegedly did not exist on the market, limiting competition and favoring a local economic operator from Mogila Municipality.
Candidate’s Advertising on Public Utility Buses Constitutes Misuse of State Resources, Anti-Corruption Commission Finds – In 2025, the State Commision for Preventing Corruption received a complaint via email from a known informant alleging that during elections, the law was violated because an authorized person at a public utility used public resources by branding buses with the candidate’s images (political advertising). The Commission requested documents from the utility and determined that the buses, as assets owned by the public utility, are public resources. “By allowing political advertising on the buses, the director acted illegally, and the allegations in the complaint are founded. According to the Law on Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interest, we will initiate proceedings with the competent authority,” the Anti-Corruption Commission stated. The decision was adopted unanimously.
