SDSM Warns: Bill for “Skopje 2028” Poses Corruption Risk and Bypasses Public Tenders

The Social Democratic League of Macedonia has called for the immediate withdrawal of the draft law related to the implementation of the “Skopje – European Capital of Culture 2028” initiative. According to the party, the new provisions create opportunities for the distribution of taxpayer money without adhering to public procurement rules.

In a press appearance, MP Bisera Kostadinovska Stojčevska emphasized that although this bill was removed from today’s parliamentary agenda, it remains part of the legislative procedure and could be brought back for consideration at a later session.

She recalled that after Skopje was declared European Capital of Culture in September 2023, a well-organized structure for managing the activities was established. However, with the arrival of the new administration in 2024, the entire process suffered a blockade.

Kostadinovska Stojčevska leveled accusations that the executive aims to pass special legislation that would allow the spending of around 21 million euros from the state budget without going through public procurement filters, by establishing a new entity that would take over the project’s realization.

“This normative act sets an extremely harmful precedent, aimed at robbing citizens’ funds and enriching certain groups. The SDSM and coalition partners insist on the immediate removal of this law, which essentially institutionalizes corruption. No one can place themselves above the Public Procurement Law, especially when tens of millions of euros belonging to the citizens are at stake,” she declared.