360 Degrees (22 October 2026) — fingerprint devices trigger new million‑euro tender; Skopje emergency service has only five night teams
Episode examines the 11.2 million‑euro fingerprint purchase, only five night emergency teams in Skopje, and uneven bids for 108 MIA vehicles.
On 22 October 2026 the television magazine 360 Degrees aired a new episode on MRT 1 that looked into several procurement and public‑service problems: the continuing costs tied to previously bought fingerprint devices, persistent staff shortages at emergency services in Skopje, uneven competition in a large vehicle tender for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and a study on how long North Macedonia would take to reach the European average of welfare.
Fingerprint devices and fresh costs. The programme revisited the 2021 fingerprint procurement, whose price tag was 11.2 million euros, and reported that the State Election Commission is now preparing a new million‑euro tender. Reporters examined projected long‑term expenses and asked what should have been foreseen five years ago when the original purchase was made.
Ambulances arrived, staff did not
The episode noted that newly purchased ambulance vehicles have arrived, but that the shortage of emergency personnel remains. For the whole of Skopje at night there are only five Emergency Medical Service teams on duty, the show said, and it questioned whether the announced reform to introduce paramedics can shorten waiting times for help.
108 vehicles for the MIA — uneven bidding. The magazine also analysed the procurement of 108 vehicles for the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). Tender conditions produced very different markets across categories: in some lots multiple bidders appeared, in others there was only one offer, and some lots received no offers at all.
In a separate segment the programme discussed long‑term economic convergence: using current trends, closing the gap with the European average of welfare would take another 52 years. The episode included conversation with Viktor Mitevski and Ana Milinkovic on the causes of slow progress and what could accelerate change.
The broadcast also featured a shorter piece entitled "Sabotage" that addressed an additional topic covered by the show.
Photo: press material from the event
