Venko Filipche publishes 23 September 2025 government record saying minister knew of Alta Bank offer
Filipche released minutes from the 23 September 2025 cabinet session and demanded resignations and criminal probes; the finance minister denies being consulted.
Venko Filipche, leader of SDSM, published a government meeting record on social media that he says proves the finance minister was aware of a bid by Serbia’s Alta Bank to acquire shares in 16 public institutions. The document stems from a cabinet session held on 23 September 2025.
Filipche demands resignation and investigations
Filipche used the published minutes to call for the resignation of Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska‑Kochoska and urged the Public Prosecutor’s Office to open probes into both her and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. He also asked for involvement by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to review financial flows linked to Alta Bank.
"Gordana Dimitrieska‑Kochoska should resign, she lies about Alta Bank! The Public Prosecutor's Office should immediately open an investigation into Hristijan Mickoski and Kochoska, and the European Public Prosecutor's Office should be included to check the flow of all money for Alta Bank," Filipche wrote on Facebook, and pointed out that, according to the minutes, it was the finance minister who proposed conclusions directing 16 state-owned entities to submit written statements accepting or rejecting Alta Bank's takeover offer.
Dimitrieska‑Kochoska denies the governor of the National Bank consulted her about Alta Bank's entry to the Macedonian market or about the takeover of Stopanska Banka Bitola. In a television interview she said the Ministry of Finance "had absolutely no communication" with Governor Trajko Slaveski regarding those negotiations and that the ministry was not aware Alta Bank was negotiating or which other institutions had shown interest.
Trajko Slaveski, the National Bank governor, has said the approval for Alta Bank to enter Stopanska Banka Bitola’s ownership structure followed a three‑month procedure involving supervisory services and other bodies, which concluded the new investor met the required conditions. The central bank also placed Stopanska Banka Bitola under temporary administration pending the change of ownership.
Filipche additionally asked whether government representatives had been in direct contact with Alta Bank owner Davor Macura and whether such contact allowed him to increase his stake at the expense of the state.
Photo: Fejsbuk
