Focus group report: Public Perception of the Work of the Parliament, Trust in Public Institutions and Political Parties, and Quality of Life in North Macedonia

This report presents the findings from three focus groups conducted in Skopje, Shtip, and Gostivar in June 2025, with the aim of exploring the context behind the percentages generated by the field survey on “Citizens’ Perceptions of the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia,” conducted in February/March 2025. The focus groups sought to offer a deeper, qualitative understanding of public perception regarding the work of the Parliament, trust in public institutions and political parties, and the perceived quality of life in North Macedonia.

The field survey, conducted several months earlier, showed a moderate increase in optimism compared to previous years, despite the generally negative perception among the majority of citizens regarding the direction in which the country is heading and the level of trust in institutions. Unfortunately, just a few days after the completion of the survey, on 16 March 2025, a tragedy in Kochani that claimed many young lives intensified the public’s sense of pessimism.

In line with the survey results, participants in the focus groups across all three cities generally expressed disappointment and distrust in institutions, experiencing stagnation in the democratic and economic progress of the state, which they feel does not reflect their needs and expectations. The Parliament is not viewed as a space for substantive debate and genuine representation, but rather as an extension of political party interests, underscoring MPs’ strong dependence on party structures and the lack of accountability to voters.

The quality of parliamentary debates is perceived as low, with doubts expressed about whether MPs prepare for discussions—this being identified as one of the reasons for citizens’ weak interest in the Parliament’s work. The Parliamentary Channel is known, but rarely watched directly; most participants view selected clips shared on social media, often in humorous or scandalous formats. Use of the official website of the Parliament is limited—some respondents access it mainly for specific information or legal texts related to their professional engagement.

When describing political parties, citizens often use weather-related metaphors such as “fog,” “clouds,” and “winds,” indicating uncertainty and a lack of clear direction. Some older respondents occasionally showed moderate optimism, while young people feel disconnected from political processes and see no clear vision for the future. European integration is not viewed as a guarantee for internal reforms. Participants are skeptical that EU membership will bring improvements in the functioning of Parliament or political accountability, seeing the process more as a superficial legitimization of political elites aimed at preserving the status quo.

As part of the recommendations raised during the discussions, participants emphasized the need for systemic reforms to strengthen the independence and legitimacy of Members of Parliament. These include enhancing parliamentary oversight mechanisms, introducing transparent criteria for MP activity, and reforming the electoral model to allow for greater individual accountability. Participants recommended that MPs be more present on the ground and improve public communication through accessible and visual formats. Support for reform-minded individuals and practices that reduce party control was seen as a prerequisite for rebuilding trust and institutional effectiveness.

Read the report:
Focus group report: Public Perception of the Work of the Parliament, Trust in Public Institutions and Political Parties, and Quality of Life in North Macedonia