Draft law for 'Skopje 2028' pulled from the agenda after reactions over procurements

The project 'Skopje 2028' is set to be one of the most extensive cultural projects in the country after the capital was chosen as European Capital of Culture. A debate opened in public after a draft law was submitted that foresees the procurements of the Skopje 2028 Foundation being exempted from the Law on Public Procurement.

The proposal drew reactions from the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and from the Platform of Civil Society Organizations for Combating Corruption, which warned of the risk of non-transparent spending of public funds.

Because of those reactions, the draft law was removed from the agenda of the parliamentary session for additional consultations, meaning MPs did not put it to a vote until doubts are clarified or amendments are made.

What citizens think

In a video poll, citizens were asked how informed they are about the project and how much trust they have in institutions that public money will be spent transparently. They were also asked whether they believe the project's procurements should be publicly available.

Most respondents supported the idea of the project, but they stressed that their support is conditional on transparent budget spending and the public disclosure of all procurements and contracts.

The dispute shows a broader tension between ambitious cultural goals and the public's expectations for accountability; civil society organizations and the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption called for clear and public rules before a special legal regime for the Foundation is allowed.

Photo: printscreen