Levica: Model for 'Skopje – European Capital of Culture' risks political influence and opaque funding

Levica warned today that the draft model for presenting Skopje as a European Capital of Culture contains serious governance flaws that could allow political interference and opaque handling of public money.

European Commission concerns and a special procurement model

The party pointed to a recent finding by the European Commission that highlighted major gaps in transparency of management, the stability of financing, timely implementation and cooperation with cultural stakeholders. Levica said those shortcomings make the initiative vulnerable if it is not structured with strict public oversight.

According to the critique, instead of using the designation to achieve a far-reaching transformation of cultural life, the project risks becoming a party-led spectacle in which only the title will be European while local practices of political influence and closed decision-making remain unchanged.

Levica also singled out the draft legal framework for the initiative, which would allow a foundation to carry out procurements outside the general regime of the public procurement law for a programme worth around €21 million. The party warned this would create an exception to mechanisms that ensure public control and competition.

“the proposed model opens space for non-transparent allocation of funds, political influence and privileging certain actors,” Levica said in a written statement, calling on lawmakers to preserve public procurement safeguards and to involve cultural practitioners in a transparent governance structure.

Photo: press material from the event