2. Public Asset Declarations and Lifestyle Audits: Increasing Political Transparency in Macedonia

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.

In a country where corruption has become a way of life, sunlight is not just the best disinfectant—it’s a revolutionary force. Macedonia will never break free from the grip of corruption until we know exactly how much wealth our officials hold, how they acquired it, and whether their lifestyles reflect their official incomes. It's time to make secrets obsolete.

The Illusion of Transparency

Today, we have asset declaration laws on paper, but in practice, they are a charade. Declarations are vague, incomplete, and rarely verified. Officials simply list their properties and bank accounts with no real oversight, and no consequence for lying. Meanwhile, luxury cars, villas, and foreign holidays mysteriously appear—paid for with salaries that should barely cover a modest apartment.

It’s not transparency if no one is looking. And it’s not justice if no one is held accountable.

Mandatory, Detailed, and Audited

Every elected official and senior public servant must continue to submit a full declaration of

assets, income sources, liabilities, and those of their close family members. These

declarations must be submitted annually, audited randomly, and publicly available in an

online registry.

But declarations are only part of the solution. Lifestyle audits are equally vital. If someone claims to earn €1,000 a month and is living like a millionaire, the system must trigger an investigation. No more turning a blind eye. The burden of proof must fall on the individual to explain how they acquired their wealth—not on the public to guess.

Consequences That Matter

Without real consequences, even the strongest laws are meaningless. Officials who fail to declare assets—or who are found to be living beyond their means—should face immediate suspension and full investigation. Repeat offenders should be barred from public office. Corruption must become a career-ending risk, not just a media scandal.

We must also empower civil society and independent journalists to track and report inconsistencies. The media and the public should not only have access to the data—they should be protected when they use it to expose wrongdoing.

A Culture Shift Is Possible

This is about more than forms and audits. It's about changing the culture of public service. We must end the era of officials who treat government jobs as personal business opportunities. Public office is a position of trust—not a license to enrich oneself.

We want a Macedonia where young people dream of serving their country, not robbing it. Where clean hands are a badge of honour, not a disadvantage.

A Line in the Sand

For too long, our leaders have lived behind a veil of secrecy, while ordinary citizens struggle

under the weight of their corruption. That veil must be torn down—piece by piece,

declaration by declaration.

No more secrets. No more excuses. It’s time to know who’s serving the people—and who’s serving themselves.

Michael Penevski

Co-Founder, Macedonian Citizens Alliance

Michael Penevski holds a Bachelor of Law degree and is an investment banker specializing in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets. A long-standing critic of political impunity, he has been a vocal advocate for transparency, systemic reform, economic revitalization, and citizen-led governance. Born into a family grounded in Macedonian values, Michael co-founded the Macedonian Citizens Alliance to help build a nation that serves its people - not the privileged few.

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