North Macedonia - September 2023

The parliament amended the Criminal Code late on 6 September in a rushed vote to weaken anti-corruption measures in the public sector. The minimum five-year prison sentence for abuse of office was scrapped and the maximum sentence reduced from ten to three years. The European Commission criticized the hurried process and in protest civil society called for President Stevo Pendarovski to veto the legislation. Much speculation surrounds the amendments, with some accusing the government of trying to secure virtual amnesty ahead of upcoming elections and others alleging that the changes were part of a bargain to secure the support of former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski for planned constitutional changes. Gruevski is living in exile in Hungary after multiple convictions of abuse of office.

Sources: Sloboden Pečat, Euronews, Deutsche Welle (1), Deutsche Welle (2), Deutsche Welle (3), bne IntelliNews, Balkan Insight