North Macedonia

The Supreme Court and Judicial Council need to 1. publish consolidated information on the judicial budget 2. ensure that decisions and annual reports published on the judicial council’s website are in a user-friendly format

The Supreme Court regularly reports on decisions and publishes them on its official website. Consolidated information about the judicial budget, as well as decisions and annual reports, are published on the Judicial Council's website in a format accessible to users. http://www.vsrm.mk/

Last update 28 March 2025

An independent disciplinary commission needs to be established to create an independent body to investigate complaints against public prosecutors and to ensure accountability. The government needs adopt regulatory provisions to protect a person who files a complaint against a public prosecutor.

The Public Prosecutor's Office has informed that an Ethics Council has been established and is functioning within its jurisdiction. This council deals with cases where public prosecutors fail to adhere to specific ethical principles outlined in the Ethics Code, both in their relationships with other authorities, parties, and citizens, in the public eye, and in their internal relations. In cases provided by the Law on the Public Prosecutor's Office for disciplinary violations, the Commission for Determining the Disciplinary Responsibility of Public Prosecutors takes action. Additionally, the Council of Public Prosecutors handles complaints and grievances from citizens and legal entities regarding the work of public prosecutors. Citizens can file a complaint about the behaviour of public prosecutors, which can be reviewed by the Ethics Council, an oversight body for ensuring compliance with the Ethics Code of Public Prosecutors in North Macedonia.

Last update 28 March 2025

The public prosecutor’s office needs to provide a protected reporting channel for whistleblowers based on the Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers.

The Public Prosecutor's Office is one of the institutions where protected whistleblowing can be carried out under the Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers. In this case, the submitted report is treated as a criminal report. The right to procedural protection of whistleblowers is regulated by the Criminal Procedure Code. All obligations related to the protection of whistleblower data and identity are fully respected, as failure to do so is subject to criminal, not misdemeanour, responsibility, as provided in the Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers. However, information about the protected whistleblowing channel cannot yet be found on the official website of the Prosecutor's Office.

Last update 28 March 2025

The SEC and SCPC need to ensure the proper implementation of the SEC’s integrity plan.

In 2023, the SEC adopted the Integrity Policy and several by-laws were adopted and activities were carried out for its implementation. According to the SCPC report on the monitoring of the implementation of the integrity system for 2023, the SEC received a "good" rating according to the level of fulfilment of obligations. In December 2024, the Questionnaire for Monitoring the Implementation of the Integrity System posted on the SCPC e-portal was completed. The following steps were taken to improve the integrity system: amendments to the regulation, implementation of survey questionnaires for officials regarding knowledge of the integrity system, holding a training/workshop for SEC officials on the integrity system. During the vote counting in 2024, the SEC did not face any technical problems and the voting results were announced in a timely and accurate manner.

Last update 28 March 2025

The SEC needs to amend the existing code of ethics for the SEC’s members and the electoral administration with specific reprimand provisions in the case of established unethical behaviour of staff and members of the central and local electoral bodies.

During the 2024 Parliamentary and Presidential elections, after the adoption of the Code of Ethics for Election Administration, the provisions of the Guidelines for the work of municipal election commissions were amended, which provided for ethical standards and rules of conduct for members of the Municipal Election Commission, a section was introduced in the SEC manuals intended for election bodies that referred to ethical standards and rules of conduct for election administration, and mandatory education on ethical conduct of election bodies was carried out during the trainings held for elected bodies (MECs and EBs). The Code of Ethics, as well as the Guidelines, contain provisions for punishment in case of non-compliance with the prescribed rules of ethical conduct. In order to comply with the Code of Ethics for members of the SEC, an Ethics Commission for Monitoring and Compliance with the EC was established, which is obliged to monitor the implementation and compliance with the provisions of the code. The EC contains a sanction in the form of a warning that can be pronounced orally or in writing. The members of the SEC signed statements that they will comply with the provisions of the code. The process for acting on reports from whistleblowers is also being continuously regulated and the necessary reports are submitted to the SCPC. In the second half of 2024, the SEC began preparing and adopting a new . Strategic priority number 10 is “Strengthening the integrity of the election administration, building a culture of intolerance towards corruption, assessing and recognizing corruption risks”, which will be achieved through the following strategic objectives: improving the system for strengthening the integrity of elections and election administration and establishing a system for managing corruption risks and developing a plan with measures for dealing with risks. https://www.sec.mk/upatstvo-za-rabota-na-opshtinskite-izborni-komisii-i-izbornata-komisija-na-grad-skopje/; https://www.sec.mk/drzhavnata-izborna-komisija-ja-odrzha-117-ta-sednica/

Last update 28 March 2025

SCPC should improve the capacity for research and analysis of asset and interest declarations, as well as other corruption risk assessments

The State Commission for prevention of corruption reports that it is continuously working to improve the capacity for research and analysis of declarations of assets and interests, as well as other areas with a risk of corruption. In the last quarter of 2024, two management positions were filled in the Secretariat of the State Commission through a promotion procedure, namely: Head of the Department for Monitoring Assets and Interests and Head of the Sector for Preventing Conflicts of Interest, Monitoring Assets and Interests and Lobbying. However, there remains a need to increase the number of systematized positions and then fill them, in order to achieve full operational capacity in the listed areas. The working group, with expert support from the USAID Partnership Against Corruption project, developed a proposal for a functional analysis. The working group determined the structure of the organizational units that should be covered by the new acts on internal organization and systematisation of positions in the Secretariat. The State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption conducts annual monitoring of the level of implementation of the integrity system in public sector institutions that have signed an Integrity Policy. Regarding the implementation of the integrity system in the State Election Commission, according to the report for 2023. Additionally, a new system for the register of elected and appointed persons, declaration of assets and interests and their monitoring has been developed and established, which, among other things, allows for the electronic submission of a declaration of assets and interests, as a functionality that began to be applied from 01.01.2024. The State Commission continuously processes and updates newly submitted questionnaires on its website. In 2024, 3,620 declarations of assets and interests were submitted through the new electronic system on the website. https://dksk.mk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Извештај-за-имплементација-на-интегритет-2023-година.pdf

Last update 28 March 2025

SCPC should implement missing mechanisms to handle risks of conflict of interest identified in the SCPC’s internal assessment

To overcome the above risks, two mechanisms have been envisaged, namely: adopting an internal act on conflict of interest and organizing training to inform employees about the content and purpose of the internal act, i.e. the existing regulation, the manner of operation and conduct and its essence. Both mechanisms have been implemented. On 13.02.2023, the State Commission adopted the Rulebook on Conflict of Interest Management and Reporting of Additional Engagement for Officials in the SCPC, thus fulfilling one of the two control mechanisms. Regarding the second control mechanism, i.e. training for employees in the Secretariat, it is planned to be implemented continuously. After adopting the Rulebook on Conflict of Interest Management and Reporting of Additional Engagement for Officials in the SCPC, on 13.04.2023, the State Commission conducted internal training on the implementation of the integrity system for all employees in the Secretariat.

Last update 28 March 2025

SCPC should establish a mechanism for citizens to file a complaint against the SCPC and introduce citizen oversight committees for greater accountability of the institution.

The SCPC considers that a mechanism for citizens to file complaints already exists, as individuals can submit complaints about the Commission’s work to the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia, the State Administrative Inspectorate, or the competent courts (such as the Administrative Court, Higher Administrative Court, or Basic Civil Court).

Last update 28 March 2025

SCPC should implement gender-sensitive protocols and guidelines for internal and external complaints mechanisms and produce gender-disaggregated data on such complaints

The State Commission appointed a coordinator and a deputy coordinator for equal opportunities and, with the support of the OSCE Mission in Skopje, provided equal opportunities training for them. Within the framework of the aforementioned support, the State Commission conducted an assessment of its work from a work perspective, which focuses on the gender perspective in the work and functioning of the State Commission in terms of organizational structures, workplace policies, technical capacity, as well as the gender perspective in the programs and activities of the Commission. A report entitled "Performance Assessment of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption" was prepared for the conducted assessment. The final version of the report will be published on the State Commission's website. https://dksk.mk/mk/извештај-за-проценка-на-работењето-н/

Last update 28 March 2025

Public prosecutor’s office should establish working relations with the SCPC to increase understanding of their procedures when working on corruption related cases and to develop capacity for supporting the investigations.

The State Commission and the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of North Macedonia concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation for a period of two years on 20.02.2023 (https://dksk.mk/mk/потпишан-меморандум-за-соработка-со-ј/). According to the memorandum, both institutions appointed persons to establish efficient and effective communication and established cooperation and exchange of information with full respect for the constitutional and legal status of the Public Prosecutor's Office as a sole and independent state body that prosecutes perpetrators of criminal offenses and other offenses punishable by law, as well as the legal competencies of the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of North Macedonia and the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. According to Article 8 of the Memorandum, both parties, upon the expiration of its validity, have an obligation to assess its effects on strengthening cooperation and, if necessary, to extend its validity. In order to ensure enhanced cooperation between the SCPC and the Public Prosecutor's Office, the EU IPA 2020 Rule of Law (RoL) project, Component 1, focused its activities on drafting a new Memorandum of Cooperation. As part of this process, an analysis of the current Memorandum was conducted, gathering conclusions from workshops organized by the USAID Anti-Corruption Partnership Project and meetings were held with focal points from both institutions to explore ways to advance cooperation in the upcoming period. In October 2024, the first draft of the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of North Macedonia and the State Commission was completed and shared first with the contact persons of both institutions, and after its approval with the institutions themselves. The signing process is currently in its final phase. Following the signing of the new memorandum, standard operating procedures for both institutions will be developed.

Last update 28 March 2025

Journalists should use more sources of information about corruption and not rely only on state institutions’ sources. Moreover, they can research the systemic problems uncovered by their findings, which allow for corruption.

The media are also financed by international funds, and professionalism is being strengthened among many media outlets. Investigative journalism is showing a positive trend, and an increase in the preparation of quality articles that will contribute to the fight against corruption is expected in the future. The investigative media were strengthened in the previous period.

Last update 28 March 2025

The chambers of commerce (all existing chambers) should insist on dialogue with the government in the area of transparency and anti-corruption activities, and the government should put this dialogue on its agenda.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Macedonia fulfils the recommendation that they should insist on a dialogue with the Government in the area of transparency and anti-corruption activities It is quite active in organizing lectures and trainings, and TI Macedonia has continuous cooperation on the topic of anti-corruption with the Chamber. https://transparency.mk/2024/11/14/stopanskata-komora-i-transparensi-interneshnl-potpishaa-dogovor-za-sorabotka-koj-predviduva-zaednichka-borba-za-namaluvanje-na-korupcijata/; https://transparency.mk/2024/12/13/partnerstvoto-pomegju-biznis-sektorot-instituciite-i-gragjanskite-organizacii-vo-borbata-protiv-korupcijata/

Last update 28 March 2025

The business sector should establish cooperation with the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, via the chambers of commerce, to increase transparency, prevent of corruption and encourage the business sector to report the involvement of officials in cases of corruption, through organising annual meetings.

The business sector should establish cooperation with the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption through the Chamber of Commerce is a recommendation that has been implemented and a memorandum of cooperation has been concluded between the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Macedonia and the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interest.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Assembly should conduct debates on and scrutinize public expenditure through public contracting at least once a year.

The Assembly conducts debates on public expenditures while reviewing the Proposal for the Budget of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Proposal for amendments and additions to the Budget, the Proposal for a decision on the redistribution of funds between the budget users of the central government and between the funds, and the Proposal for the Final Account of the Budget of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Assembly should implement all GRECO recommendations regarding integrity as well as the integrity policy developed by the SCPC, such as the adoption of new code of ethics for MPs and of related new guidelines.

Progress has been made regarding the recommendation to undertake activities for the implementation of GRECO recommendations. The Committee for Rules of Procedure and Mandate-Immunity Issues held a coordination meeting on 18.02.2025 in the Assembly to organize a session for the establishment of a working group for an Ethical Code. The General Secretary of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia on 29 January 2025 adopted the Ethical Code for the Assembly Service of the Republic of North Macedonia. This Code defines the basic ethical rules and behaviour standards for employees in the Assembly Service of the Republic of North Macedonia. The State Commission for Preventing Corruption on 29.01.2025 sent a letter to the President of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, calling on the Assembly to engage in the process of introducing an integrity system by signing the Integrity Policies of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia. In line with this, activities are ongoing to sign the Integrity Policy of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia. https://www.sobranie.mk/eticki-kodeks-na-sluzbata-na-sobranieto.nspx

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should strengthen its transparency by publishing government decisions in a separate tab on its website, categorised by different areas, and include the reasons for each decision.

There have been certain improvements in the area of transparency by the executive branch. The government regularly publishes decisions, programmes, and conclusions made during sessions on the Open Government section of its website. This helps increase transparency and makes the content publicly accessible. A new government website is currently under development to further improve accessibility and user experience. URL: https://vlada.mk/vladini-sednici

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should publish, in one place and in a timely manner, all reports for which it is responsible. This should include updates on the reports submitted by the State Audit Office (SAO), information on actions taken following audit findings, and the consequences of not acting on those findings. This obligation should apply to both the government and the SAO.

The national programme for the government’s work for 2024–2028 includes strengthening internal audit processes and forming an Audit Committee as a central body to monitor the implementation of SAO recommendations. The programme also foresees systematic collaboration with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will review SAO reports. These steps are aimed at improving follow-up on audit findings and increasing accountability. URL: https://vlada.mk/revizija

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should publish all reports on the work of ministries in one centralised location on its website.

There have been improvements in publishing government reports, with efforts to consolidate and regularly update documents, decisions, and information. A new website is underway to enhance the transparency and organisation of content from all ministries.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should publish state data related to measures taken to prevent corruption and strengthen integrity. This should include data on decisions, training, inter-institutional cooperation, adopted plans and programmes, sanctioned irregularities, and implemented activities, along with their achieved effects.

A Coordinating Body for the Fight Against Corruption is being established to unify anti-corruption efforts across institutions. The government is also committed to increasing the transparency of integrity-related activities, and shares project implementation details and decisions via ministry websites.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should publish information on court decisions related to disputed government decisions.

Although not explicitly detailed in the current initiatives, transparency in court-related outcomes is implied under broader transparency reforms. This is an area for further development within the context of Open Government and inter-institutional cooperation.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should regularly publish information on the execution of government projects, including status updates and outcomes, to ensure full transparency on implementation.

The government provides updates on completed projects, including those linked to capital grants for municipal investment. These updates are published, for example, on the website of the Ministry of Local Self-Government, enhancing transparency around public spending and local development outcomes.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Supreme Court needs to revise the code of ethics to include a sustainable and permanent body for its implementation.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of North Macedonia, during its General Session in September 2019, adopted the Code of Ethics for Judges and Lay Judges. "In accordance with the Code of Ethics for Judges and Lay Judges, for the consistent application of the Judicial Ethics Code, the Association of Judges of the Republic of North Macedonia establishes an Advisory Body, which, upon request from a judge, lay judge, president of a court, a court session, or the Association of Judges of the Republic of North Macedonia, provides advisory opinions and advice on one or more issues related to the ethical behaviour of judges/lay judges, the proper execution of judicial duties, and avoiding conflicts of interest in the private lives of judges and lay judges in relation to their judicial functions. These opinions and advice have a preventive and advisory significance. They highlight behaviours that violate the principles of the Judicial Code.”http://www.vsrm.mk/wps/wcm/connect/vsrm/10ae444c-09fd-4cbd-9fa6-ed45ae4ad13b/Кодекс+за+етика+на+судиите+и+судиите+поротници.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=mSBbAAH

Last update 28 March 2025

The Supreme Court needs to strengthen the mechanism for its implementation and accountability, and ensure more effective monitoring of the implementation of the code of ethics

For unethical behaviour of judges and the consistent application of the Judicial Ethics Code, the Association of Judges of the Republic of North Macedonia has established an advisory body. Upon request from judges or the Association of Judges, the body provides advisory opinions to judges in North Macedonia regarding one or more issues related to ethical behaviour, the advisory execution of judicial duties, and avoiding conflicts of interest between judges' private lives and their judicial functions. If there are such complaints, the Judicial Council forwards them to the Association of Judges and the State Commission for Preventing Corruption (SCPC).

Last update 28 March 2025

The judicial council needs to adopt new procedures for receiving citizen reports related to conflicts of interest and other inappropriate and unethical behaviour in judges, and to establish a whistleblower’s protection and reporting channel to enable judges with integrity or other interested parties to report on cases of influence over the judges and their decisions

The Judicial Council has implemented the recommendation for establishing a channel for receiving reports from whistleblowers and has developed a procedure for receiving, separating, and processing data from whistleblower reports.

Last update 28 March 2025

The BPPOOCC and the SCPC need to establish everyday communication and cooperation on corruption related offences by signing a memorandum.

The State Commission and the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of North Macedonia concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation for a period of two years on 20.02.2023. According to the memorandum, both institutions appointed persons to establish efficient and effective communication and established cooperation and exchange of information with full respect for the constitutional and legal status of the Public Prosecutor's Office as a sole and independent state body that prosecutes perpetrators of criminal offenses and other offenses punishable by law, as well as the legal competencies of the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of North Macedonia and the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. According to Article 8 of the Memorandum, both parties, upon the expiration of its validity, have an obligation to assess its effects on strengthening cooperation and, if necessary, to extend its validity. In order to ensure enhanced cooperation between the SCPC and the Public Prosecutor's Office, the EU IPA 2020 Rule of Law (RoL) project, Component 1, focused its activities on drafting a new Memorandum of Cooperation. As part of this process, an analysis of the current Memorandum was conducted, gathering conclusions from workshops organized by the USAID Anti-Corruption Partnership Project and meetings were held with focal points from both institutions to explore ways to advance cooperation in the upcoming period. In October 2024, the first draft of the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of North Macedonia and the State Commission was completed and shared first with the contact persons of both institutions, and after its approval with the institutions themselves. The signing process is currently in its final phase. Following the signing of the new memorandum, standard operating procedures for both institutions will be developed. https://dksk.mk/mk/потпишан-меморандум-за-соработка-со-ј/; https://dksk.mk/mk/работилница-за-користење-на-платформ/; https://dksk.mk/mk/тркалезна-маса-соработка-на-институ/; https://dksk.mk/mk/работилница-на-дкск-и-јавното-обвинит/; https://dksk.mk/mk/одржана-работна-средба-на-претседате/

Last update 28 March 2025

The MoI needs to establish effective implementation of the adopted code of ethics by establishing effective vetting of reported cases of conflict of interest and asset declaration, as well as regular reporting of the gifts and hospitality for police officials.

The Ministry of Interior has adopted a Code of Ethics, and revised according to GRECO guidelines in 2021. It has appointed a person for integrity, receiving gifts and conflict of interest in the Ministry and has adopted an Integrity Plan 2023-2025. A new Law on Interior is in the preparation phase, where the Department for Internal Control, Criminal Investigations and Professional Standards has proposed an amendment that will provide for the submission of a statement of assets and interests. https://mvr.gov.mk/Upload/Editor_Upload/ETICKI KODEKS.pdf https://mvr.gov.mk/page/integritet?fbclid=IwAR0z_Ra6a458jgr3v5zksHR2WX8qiRn-917pNSBuhaMMr0pa_cLi2SoOd5w; https://mvr.gov.mk/Upload/Editor_Upload/Plan za integritet 2023-2025/Plan za integritet MVR 2023-25_04_06_2023_MKD_web.pdf; https://ener.gov.mk/Default.aspx?item=pub_regulation&subitem=view_reg_detail&itemid=88217

Last update 28 March 2025

The MoI needs to publish information on the number of cases and results related to integrity tests of police officials.

Every three months, the Department for Internal Control, Criminal Investigations and Professional Standards publishes on its website a Report on implemented measures and activities within its scope of work, which also includes investigations conducted into information received about committed corruption crimes. Due to the lack of technical and personnel capacities, special equipment, appropriate training of the workers who are supposed to implement it, etc., a test to check the professional integrity of workers in the Ministry of Interior has not been conducted so far. https://mvr.gov.mk/page/sektor-za-vnatreshna-kontrola

Last update 28 March 2025

The MoI needs to establish cooperation with the SCPC for proactive investigations of corruption related cases. As a result, the MoI and SCPC need to publish separate statistical data for corruption related cases on their websites.

In 2024 was signed a Memorandum between SCPC and MoI: https://dksk.mk/mk/потпишан-меморандум-за-соработка-пом/. However there is still needed information on the cases that they have worked on together and information on the results of their cooperation.

Last update 28 March 2025

The SEC should publish an annual report, with details on financial and human resources as well as a comprehensive overview of its activities and statistics on previous elections as well as complaints received.

The SEC, in accordance with the Electoral Code, publishes a Report on the conducted elections and submits it to the Parliament within the legally established deadline.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should follow the request of the SAO to include the independence of the SAO in the constitution.

A new law on state audit is currently being drafted, which plans to improve the institutional and financial independence of the State Audit Office. https://ener.gov.mk/default.aspx?item=pub_regulation&subitem=view_reg_detail&itemid=78583

Last update 28 March 2025

The SAO should make publicly available the follow-up mechanism for the implementation of the recommendations given by the SAO.

The new software is in preparation process.

Last update 28 March 2025

SCPC should hire more staff to fill the current human resource gaps.

Although throughout the years the number of employees is increasing there is still need of hiring professional staff for execution of the competences of the commission.

Last update 28 March 2025

Media owners need to give full legal protection to their journalists in court processes conducted against them after publishing articles on corruption. That way, journalists will feel encouraged to investigate and report on corruption in the knowledge that the media is behind them.

Mainly, the journalist are supported by their media when they publish investigative stories. Also the Council of ethics in the media and the Association of journalists are providing protection, however additional mechanisms for protection should be established in place.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government needs to increase state funding for CSOs in 2024 to MKD 2 million (approx. €32,500), so it can meet its goals in the strategy for cooperation with and development of CSOs of providing 30 per cent of CSOs’ total revenue. The CRNM should provide capacity support to CSOs to comply with the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and the Law on Protection of Personal Data before issuing fines, such as training and educational materials.

Civil organizations with the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, i.e. the section on their obligation to register in the register of beneficial owners: According to the latest report on the Civil Organization Sustainability Index from 2021, the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism has increased the administrative burden for civil organizations, including high fines for untimely registration of the "beneficial owner". Also, the Law on Protection of Personal Data potentially leads to disproportionate costs, especially for smaller civil organizations. The amendments to the law of 2022 provided for the extension of the deadline for registration in the register, from the existing 8 days from the date of registration of the entity in the trade register and the register of other legal entities, i.e. from the change of the beneficial owner, the deadline was increased to 15 days from the date of registration of the entity in the trade register and the register of other legal entities, i.e. from the change of the beneficial owner. However, the obligation to register within the given deadline remains for all entities, regardless of the organizational form and size of the entity. Citizen associations and foundations are informed of this obligation, as well as all other entities, when submitting an application for registration in the register, as well as through various media since the establishment of the register. The fee is activated only in the case when the entity fails to fulfil the legal obligation within the deadline, and it increases proportionally with the number of days of delay and has a preventive role - to exert pressure for timely fulfilment of legal obligations.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government and public institutions need to involve CSOs more in consultative processes and working groups for legislation changes and other policy-making processes.

In accordance with the recommendation that the Government should include civil society organizations in consultative processes, a Council for Cooperation between the Government and Civil Society has been established, which is expected to start operating in the coming period. The CSOs are actively involved in working groups and other consultation processes related to developing and improvement of the legislative framework. However what is lacking is real inclusion of their opinions, recommendations and other support they are giving.

Last update 28 March 2025

CSOs that have overlapping functions between executive and oversight structures need to restructure their functions so accountability and oversight through independent bodies can be ensured.

A good basis for strengthening civil society organizations that have functions that overlap between executive and control structures should restructure their functions in a way that ensures accountability and control through independent bodies is the signing of the Code of Ethics for Civil Society Organizations, to which we as an organization are also signatories. https://mcms.mk/mk/kodeks-za-go

Last update 28 March 2025

The parliament needs to adopt the draft legislation on accounting in consultation with the relevant chamber of commerce and association of accountants and establish a national certification system for internal auditors.

This recommendation that the Parliament should adopt the draft legislation on accounting in consultation with the relevant chamber and association of accountants and establish a national certification system for internal auditors has also been fulfilled. Amendments were made to the Law on Accounting in February 2025.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Assembly should review and debate the findings and recommendations of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, state auditor and other specialized agencies’ reports. The Assembly should establish deadlines for adopting the annual reports submitted by the institutions that are accountable to the Assembly, such as the SCPC, PPO, and SAO (for example, within three months of the submission of the report).

No actions were carry out in order to enable implementation of the given recommendation. According to the Law on State Audit and the Law on Preventing Corruption and Conflict of Interest, deadlines are prescribed for the State Audit Office and the State Commission for Preventing Corruption to submit their annual reports as stipulated in both laws, but no deadlines are established for the determination of the reports. From this, it can be concluded that due to the lack of obligation, there is a legal gap that allows the postponement of the adoption of the annual reports.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government needs to ensure sufficient financial and human resources for the judiciary

The state budget for 2025 is not in line with the foreseen percentage that the judiciary should receive in accordance with the laws.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government needs to provide financial resources for additional human resources to the public prosecutor’s office and investigative centres in charge of investigating corruption.

Regarding the financial aspect, the Public Prosecutor's Office still faces obstacles, as only 0.2% of the legally required 0.4% of the budget has been approved. No new hires have been approved for 2025.

Last update 28 March 2025

The chief prosecutor of the BPPOOCC needs to regularly report to the Assembly on the implementation of accountability mechanisms, such as disciplinary cases, citizen complaints and dismissals due to the violation of official duties.

The Public Prosecutor does not inform the Assembly about accountability mechanisms, such as disciplinary cases, citizen complaints, and dismissals due to violations of official duties.

Last update 28 March 2025

Data on the execution of control mechanisms (imposed measures, recommendations, decisions, judgements, and soon on) should be published in the annual reports of public sector institutions. Namely, all annual reports from public bodies should contain data on their actions and the execution of their decisions in order to ensure the effective application of the control mechanisms. For example, how many of their decisions have been implemented, how many were contested by appeal or lawsuit, and what was the decision of the second-instance authority or court?

The Agency for Administration has noted for several years in a row that it has not been able to conduct a qualitative analysis of the decisions made on the appeals/complaints of administrative officials who have initiated proceedings before the competent courts for the protection of their employment rights, because the State Attorney's Office of the Republic of Macedonia does not regularly submit the final decisions of the competent courts on the filed court cases against the aforementioned decisions, with a recommendation that they be submitted regularly.

Last update 28 March 2025

MISA and AA should publish an annual report on imposed measures for disciplinary and material responsibility in all institutions, including data on the type of violation for which the measure was imposed, whether the measure was implemented, against how many decisions legal protection has been requested, the type of decisions from the second-level authority and how that decision was implemented.

The Agency does not have a legally established control mechanism to check how and in what manner the first-instance authorities act on the decisions of the Commission for Deciding on Appeals and Complaints of Administrative Officials in Second Instance, nor to conduct an analysis of the decisions on appeals/complaints of administrative officials who initiated proceedings before the competent courts for the protection of their employment rights. This is because the State Attorney's Office does not regularly submit the final decisions of the competent courts on the filed court cases.

Last update 28 March 2025

Public Institutions should make their functional analysis publicly available on their website and the website of the Ministry of Information Society and Administration, to allow for the analysis of the data and, based on that, to take measures that lead to a more efficient public administration.

The Ministry of Public Administration does not publish data from those described in point 1 because there is no legal obligation. Institutions are obliged to submit to the MPA an annual report on the measures imposed for determining disciplinary and material liability of administrative officials, and accordingly, it follows that the ministry will be able to summarize, process and publish data on the measures imposed for disciplinary and material liability. The recommendation will be considered within the framework of the working group for the preparation of the new Law on Administrative Officials. The ministry does not publish the functional analyses of other ministries except for their own.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government needs to increase the budget of the SEC to enable it to carry out its regular activities in non-election years properly.

The State Election Commission (SEC) adopted the budget for 2025 at a public session, and despite the fact that more funds were foreseen, less were approved by the Ministry of Finance.

Last update 28 March 2025

The SEC needs to conduct a functional analysis of staff and skill needs for the functioning of the SEC.

In the upcoming period, given the needs for new employment and additional equipment of the SEC, which was also noted in the reports of the OSCE and ODIHR, it is undertaking activities to secure consent for new employment or takeover of administrative officials from other institutions.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Assembly needs to amend the electoral code to reduce the number of signatures from 10,000 to 5,000 signatures for independent candidates for president of the country; and the number of signatures from 1,000 to 500 to submit to the list of independent candidates for members of the parliament; and decrease by 50 per cent the necessary signatures for independent candidates for mayors to enable more independent candidates to meet the threshold.

With the changes of the Electoral Code in 2024 additionally contributed towards decreasing of the possibility for more independent candidates to meet the threshold.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Ombudsperson institution The Ombudsperson needs to draft and adopt a code of ethics and integrity policy in accordance with the directions from the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption.

The Office of the Ombudsperson reported that it is preparing a Code of Ethics and Integrity Policy in accordance with the guidelines of the SCPC.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Ombudsperson's office needs to hire more staff to be able to implement sub-programmes properly.

When preparing the state budget for 2025, for the first time, the procedure provided for in Article 48 of the Law on the Ombudsman was not respected, neither by the Ministry of Finance nor by the Government. Specifically, in the budget proposal that was under parliamentary debate, the Ombudsperson was not invited and was approved for fewer funds than requested. Thus, the approved budget for 2025 is almost 25,000,000 denars less than the proposed one.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Ombudsperson needs to increase visibility by developing and implementing a communication strategy that will also promote the ombudsperson’s competences as a point for external disclosure and the protection of whistleblowers.

No action was undertaken related to these recommendations.

Last update 28 March 2025

The ombudsperson needs to provide the possibility for integrity and whistleblowing training for staff.

Due to lack of funds in 2024, trainings for staff on integrity and whistleblowing were not conducted.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Ombudsperson should actively promote the implementation of the Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers by preparing campaigns, conducting training with the people responsible for external and internal disclosure and closer communication with the other institutions responsible for external disclosure: SCPC, public prosecutor’s office and the Ministry of Interior. Their representatives were part of the working group for the Law on protection of whistleblowers and part of the events organized by TI-Macedonia related to protection of whistleblowers.

No visible events, campaigns or other activities were conducted in this period which increased the visibility of the Ombudsperson as an external channel for receiving reports of whistleblowers. For the government

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should provide additional budget for the ombudsperson office to better implement sub-programmes, and hire more staff and deliver integrity and whistleblowing training.

When preparing the state budget for 2025, for the first time, the procedure provided for in Article 48 of the Law on the Ombudsman was not respected, neither by the Ministry of Finance nor by the Government. Specifically, in the budget proposal that was under parliamentary debate, the Ombudsperson was not invited and was approved for less funds than requested. Thus, the approved budget for 2025 is almost 25,000,000 denars less than the proposed one. In the professional service, the National Preventive Mechanism Team, the special departments of the offices of the Ombudsman, new employments are planned for 2025.

Last update 28 March 2025

Amend the Law on the Ombudsperson, other legal acts and internal procedures in line with the Paris Principle, so the institution can receive the statutes as a national human rights institution.

On 7.02.2025, a new proposal for amending and supplementing the law was submitted to the Parliament by a group of MPs through an abbreviated procedure. This proposal was placed on the agenda of the 34th session of the Parliament and the discussion on it has been completed in the meantime.

Last update 28 March 2025

Establish effective and time-determined procedures that will ensure efficiency in the monitoring and implementation of the ombudsperson’s recommendations. Ombuds staff should be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the recommendations with a publicly available report.

No actions was undertaken related to this recommendation.

Last update 28 March 2025

Establish a more transparent and open procedure for the election and appointment of the ombudsperson and its deputies, similar to the one for the election and appointment of the president and the members of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption.

No such change was initiated.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should introduce legal deadlines for the timely review and publication of SAO annual reports.

No actions were undertaken related to this recommendation.

Last update 28 March 2025

The SAO should fulfil the systematised working places.

The institution has not yet made any progress in filling systematized positions

Last update 28 March 2025

Government should establish a mechanism in the general secretariat of the government to follow up on the findings and recommendations of the SCPC in cases of established conflict of interest, non-reported assets or asset declarations that were not submitted, and to call high-level officials accountable

No action was undertaken related to this recommendation.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Law for the Financing of Political Parties should establish a more balanced model of public financing of parties between the larger and smaller ones by sharing the percentages of funding more equally among participants in parliamentary elections.

No action was undertaken for implementation of this activity.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Ministry of Finance needs to establish an online platform for political parties to submit their financial reports. This platform should provide a public database with all the financial reports available in a searchable format, this would reduce the burden of reporting and make the data useful for other institutions and transparent for the media and citizens.

No action was undertaken for the implementation of this activity.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Ministry of Finance needs to improve the financial reporting template by adding a separate item on political advertisement on social media and enabling online reporting with the possibility of a comparison of the data.

No action was undertaken for the implementation of this activity.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Ministry of Justice in cooperation with the SCPC, the SAO and the SEC, as well as other bodies related to the oversight of political financing, need to establish a mechanism for the proper application of legal obligations and apply misdemeanour provisions for violations by political parties in their political finance obligations, in particular for not submitting their financial reports.

Regarding the establishment of a mechanism for the proper application of legal obligations and to apply the misdemeanour provisions for non-compliance by political parties with their obligations for political financing, especially failure to submit financial reports, it is taken into account to be incorporated into the analysis that will precede the process of preparing the next amendments to the Law on Financing of Political Parties. The recommendation has been submitted to be considered in the working group for the preparation of amendments and supplements to the Law on Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interest

Last update 28 March 2025

The government and the Assembly need to work together with media associations to find a solution to include regulation of campaigns on social media within the electoral code.

Last update 28 March 2025

The Academy for judges and prosecutors along with the Council of Media Ethics of Macedonia and the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services needs to provide training to judges for the correct application of the Law on Defamation and Insult in accordance with international standards and practices, guaranteeing that state and party officials refrain from lawsuits against investigative journalists and the media for revealing information of public interest.

No action was undertaken for the implementation of this action. Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services: There are no legal competencies for the implementation of the Law on Civil Liability for Insult and Defamation, as well as for conducting training for judges, i.e. the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors has the competence to conduct such training.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should amend the law on defamation to impose restrictions and sanctions on government officials or political party members who engage in public defamation of CSOs.

The Ministry has not currently undertaken any activities to amend the Law on Defamation. The Journalists' Association has submitted an analysis on the protection of journalists from so-called SLAPP lawsuits. The Ministry of Justice will consider the findings stated in the analysis and the appropriate recommendations at the first subsequent opening of amendments and supplements to the Law on Civil Liability and on Insult and Defamation and other relevant laws.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government should introduce a public state aid register on the internet to transparently show which businesses received how much state aid, when and for what.

Regarding the recommendation that the Government should introduce a state aid registry on the Internet to transparently show which business entities receive state aid and the amount they receive, when and for what, the Government reported: It is planned that the procedure and conditions for obtaining financial support will be revised in the direction of a larger amount of support for domestic companies that export and companies with a competitive advantage. A single registry of granted state aid will also be introduced in order to prevent abuse of financial support instruments and their double use.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government needs to establish a centralised coordination unit with the role of coordinating the work of the PEs.

No action was undertaken for this recommendation.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government needs to create a centralised platform to publish information on the work of the PEs (governing structure, number of employees, financial reports, and so on), to improve the transparency of PEs.

No action was undertaken for this recommendation.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government needs to amend the law on PEs, introducing sanctions and measures in cases when financial irregularities and misconduct are detected.

No action was undertaken for this recommendation.

Last update 28 March 2025

The government needs to establish a corporate code for all PEs and a centralised coordination unit needs to oversee its implementation.

Last update 28 March 2025

The financial accountability of PEs should be improved by a more transparent reporting mechanism established by the MoF. This mechanism should include annual reports on the activities of PEs to be submitted to the competent authorities and publicly available on the PEs’ webpages.

The Ministry of Economy and Labor reported that the Government plans a corporate code, amendments to the Law on Public Enterprises, a unit for coordination with enterprises, publication of internal documents and a body for supervision of the work of public enterprises, and the introduction of a state aid registry.

Last update 28 March 2025