21. Encouraging Signs from Government, But Systemic Reform against Corruption Must Follow.

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.

Citizens welcome the change in tone, but lasting reform requires action, accountability, and structural integrity.

The Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski made a strong public statement regarding the governament’s intention to wage an uncompromising fight against corruption and crime in Macedonia. We believe that this is an important step in a positive direction. Such declarations are welcome and long overdue, but they need to be accompanied by decisive action in order to restore trust in our leaders and public institutions. The Macedonian public has every right to approach these promises with caution because we have heard them before — loud in their delivery, short in their lifespan.

The reality is that up until this point Macedonia has not suffered from a lack of speeches. It has  suffered from a chronic absence of accountability.

Familiar Language, Familiar Concerns

The language used in the government’s announcement is familiar: "no compromises," "non-selective action," "rule of law." These are noble concepts — and they resonate because they reflect what the citizens have long demanded. However, the sincerity of such commitments will not be measured by press conferences or symbolic arrests. It will be measured by consistency, transparency, and above all, political courage.

Fighting corruption in a country where it has been woven into the fabric of governance for decades requires more than operational teams and statements of intent. It requires a complete cultural and institutional shift —and this is something that no government so far had the will to implement.

One Arrest Does Not Equal Reform

The recent arrest of a member of the prime minister’s security team was presented as evidence of a new era of accountability. While it is positive that no one should be above the law, one arrest — especially of a lower-level figure — does not represent systemic reform. It does not speak to the impunity enjoyed by powerful political figures, business oligarchs, and well-connected elites.

If this campaign is to be taken seriously, it must be equally relentless in uncovering corruption within the current ruling structure, just as much as those from previous administrations. The test of non-selectivity is whether those with influence and political protection will also be held accountable. Thus far, history has shown us that few ever are.

Institutional Reform Must Be Front and Center

A truly effective anti-corruption strategy must begin not with headlines, but with institutions. Macedonia’s judiciary has long been undermined by political interference, backroom deals, and an absence of professional independence. Many judges and prosecutors operate under pressure, lacking both the protection and the incentives to uphold the law impartially.

To change this, the government must move beyond rhetoric and:

• Establish independent oversight bodies free from political control.

  
  

• Implement transparent case management systems that track progress and prevent political stalling.

  
  

• Introduce annual mandatory asset declarations and lifestyle audits for public officials, with real consequences for violations.

  
  

Without reforming the very institutions tasked with enforcing the law, any anti-corruption campaign will remain superficial and unsustainable.

Citizens Must Be More Than Spectators

Another key promise from the government involves opening anonymous reporting channels for citizens to report corruption and abuse. This is a step in the right direction — but it must be accompanied by strong legal protections for whistleblowers, genuine follow-up on submitted cases, and public reporting of outcomes.

Too many citizens have risked their careers and safety by coming forward, only to be ignored, punished, or silenced. If Macedonia is truly to empower its people, then the government must ensure that whistleblowers become protected assets, not political liabilities.

In a functioning democracy, citizens must be treated as partners in reform, not passive observers. They deserve transparency, timely information, and inclusion in monitoring efforts. Civil society, investigative media, and independent watchdogs must be supported, not dismissed or undermined.

Accountability Must Be Political, Not Just Legal

True reform also requires that political accountability precede legal accountability. It should not take a court case for a public official to resign. It should not require leaked recordings or foreign investigations for unethical behavior to be acknowledged.

A culture of resignation, public apology, and ethical standards must be embedded in the DNA of public life. Unfortunately, in Macedonia, political responsibility is too often treated as optional — even when failures are obvious and public trust is broken.

A Call for Maturity, Not Theatre

Macedonia stands at a crossroads. The road to reform is difficult — but it is necessary. If the government is serious about this fight, it must embrace criticism, allow independent oversight, and resist the temptation of political theatre.

We in the Macedonian Citizens Alliance are not here to obstruct progress — we are here to monitor it, demand it, and contribute to it. Our movement was not created to chase headlines, but to pursue real and lasting change.

The people of Macedonia deserve more than promises. They deserve results — fair courts, clean institutions, accountable leaders, and a system that works for them, not for the elite.

We will support every genuine reform effort. And we will call out every attempt to mask inaction with grand speeches. Because this moment requires maturity, not marketing — and our nation’s future depends on 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

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