1. Anti-Corruption in Macedonia: Empowering Independent Institutions to Fight Corruption

A Note to Our Readers

The Macedonian Citizens Alliance is an independent, non-partisan platform committed to giving citizens a real voice in ending corruption and shaping a just, transparent, and prosperous future for Macedonia. We are not in favour or against any political party. We will support any government or opposition initiative that challenges corruption and promotes integrity and progress, but we will also hold all parties, leaders, and institutions accountable - regardless of affiliation. Macedonia has had enough of division. If you believe that political leaders and public officials should serve the people with honesty and with citizens’ interests as a priority, then support us. Our role is to keep every party, every official, and every institution honest - so that together, we can rebuild trust and create a better country for all.

If Macedonia is to have a future free from the grip of corruption, the first step must be the restoration of our institutions. For too long, our so-called independent bodies—anti-corruption commissions, judicial offices, state auditors—have been puppets of political parties, starved of resources, and stripped of real power. The result? A system that protects the powerful while punishing the honest. That must end now.

The Importance of True Independence

The most effective anti-corruption bodies in the world operate with autonomy. They are protected by law, adequately funded, and led by professionals selected through a transparent and merit-based process. They do not answer to politicians, and they cannot be dismissed for doing their job. In Macedonia, our institutions must evolve into watchdogs, not lapdogs.

To achieve this, we need to enshrine independence in our laws and our culture. It is not enough to say that an institution is “independent” on paper. We must ensure that no government, party, or private interest can influence appointments, control investigations, or block prosecutions. Only then will our institutions begin to regain public trust.

Funding and Capacity: No More Excuses

Too often, underfunding is used as a political strategy to keep institutions weak. A national anti-corruption commission without investigative resources is like sending a soldier into battle without a weapon. It is designed to fail. Our institutions must be properly resourced—not just with money, but with trained professionals, modern tools, and real-time data access.

Furthermore, we need cross-institutional coordination. The Anti-Corruption Commission, Financial Intelligence Office, Public Prosecutor, and State Audit Office should work in harmony—not in silos. Corruption is sophisticated. So too must be our response.

Leadership That Leads by Example

We must also change who we place at the helm of these institutions. Appointments must be based on merit, not political favours. Integrity must outweigh loyalty. The public should have access to the criteria used for appointments, and civil society must have a voice in the process. It’s time we elevate professionals with clean records, proven competence, and the courage to act—regardless of who is in power.

Moreover, these institutions must report directly to the public. Annual reports, public briefings, and open data portals should be mandatory. A government that hides its anti-corruption data has already failed its people.

From Obedience to Resistance

The era of institutional obedience must end. Our agencies must be legally obligated to pursue wrongdoing, even if the trail leads to the highest levels of government. No one is above the law—not ministers, not mayors, not party leaders. An empowered anti-corruption body is not a threat to democracy—it is its defender.

The Time is Now

This is a moment of reckoning. Our people are watching. Our youth are leaving. Our future is hanging in the balance. Restoring institutional integrity is not just about fixing the past—it’s about building the kind of future we can believe in. A Macedonia where public service means service to the public. A Macedonia where truth is not punished, but protected.

If we want to end corruption, we must start by freeing the very institutions that were built to fight it.

Dr. Elena Spasovska

Co-Founder & President, Macedonian Citizens Alliance

Dr. Elena Spasovska is expert in peacebuilding, equality, and democratic governance. Macedonian-born and raised, she holds a Bachelor's degree from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, a Master’s degree from the University of Barcelona, and a PhD in International Relations from the University of South Australia. Elena has lectured and contributed to research initiatives at leading Australian universities. Her academic portfolio spans global politics, development, international security, social justice, human trafficking, and post-conflict governance. She brings a rare combination of academic depth and public advocacy, with a clear mission: to confront corruption and restore hope, dignity, and opportunity for all Macedonians.

Macedonian Citizens Alliance

🌐 Website: www.macedonianalliance.com

📘 Facebook Page: facebook.com/MacedonianCitizensAlliance

👩‍⚕️ Dr. Elena Spasovska’s Facebook: facebook.com/DrElenaSpasovska