Deputy PM Ljupcho Nikolovski, who is in charge of fight against corruption and crime, sustainable development and human resources, stressed Monday that fight against crime and corruption, as well as narrowing the space and opportunities for officials’ spendings remain a top priority on the Government’s agenda.
Nikolovski announced that his office in a government procedure proposes decrees to define and limit representation, how much ministers, deputy ministers or directors can spend. He added that all those who will be found to have irregularities in their work will be dismissed, as has been the case so far.
“We have dismissed more directors, deputy directors, chairmen of management and supervisory boards than proposed by the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, on whose work I was informed directly by the citizens and the media,” Nikolovski said in response to a reporter’s question.
The Deputy PM noted that his office acts on the initiatives of the anti-corruption commission, and it will continue to do so in future.
“We act upon any report where violations have been found, including code violations, violations of ethical norms and the highest ethical values we promote everywhere,” Nikolovski said, adding that he’s convinced cooperation with this institution will continue in an upward trend.
He pointed out that officials now behave very differently from those in the past.
“If we can give up the privileges, do everything to reduce discretionary rights, I really think this should be respected, and we call for support in doing this not just for the ministers and deputy ministers, but also for every government official, every head of institution,” said Nikolovski.
The Deputy PM urges for full processing, resolution and justice for every case in order to restore citizens’ trust in all institutions.
“Therefore, my office has in a government procedure several cases led with the State Audit Office over thriftless spending behavior in the past period, with no accountability yet, despite evidence and criminal charges,” Nikolovski noted.
“Today, we’re taking a step forward, transforming the society, bringing European values at home, and naturally, our top priority is to change the reality, the habits, the society, and work to eradicate corruption in society,” the Deputy PM for the fight against corruption pointed out, adding that the fight will be non-selective and uncompromising.
