Toward better electoral cycles: Proposals for the quality improvement of electoral legislation
In less than a year and a half, the citizens of North Macedonia elected their representatives three times: the President, members of Parliament, and local authorities. What represented a democratic privilege for the electorate posed new challenges and legal battles for institutions and independent participants in the elections. For international observers, these elections again highlighted [...] Distinguishing between the political and the administrative: Proposals for a functional and professional senior civil service
The selection of senior managers in the state administration is currently carried out through different procedures and criteria set out in various sectoral laws, resulting in a fragmented and inconsistent appointment model. The adoption of a new Law on Senior Civil Service has been identified as a key measure under the Public Administration Reform Strategy [...] The Right to Participate Should Not Be a Privilege: The Need for Fair Electoral Conditions for Independent Candidates in the Local Elections 2025
The previous Local elections in 2021 saw a record number of independent candidacies and winning seats in municipal councils. With 65,908 votes and 67 mandates, independent lists became the fifth political force in the elections. However, controversial amendments to the Electoral Code, adopted after the elections were called in 2024, introduced a new barrier for [...] Reforms for Good Governance: How Can We Earn the “Rewards” from the Growth Plan?
In 2023, the European Union introduced the Growth Plan—a new strategic initiative and tool aimed at accelerating the European integration process of the Western Balkans countries. This plan, functioning as an incentive mechanism, offers candidate countries an easier opportunity to implement fundamental reforms and swiftly meet the political, economic, and legal criteria for EU membership, […]
Recommendations from civil society organizations on good governance and combating corruption
This document includes the main findings and recommendations by civil society organizations in relation to combating corruption and good governance. The document is intended for the political parties and aims to support the process of development of programs for the upcoming parliamentary elections. More specifically, this document aims to contribute to the preparation of systemic […]
Perceptions of corruption and motivation to engage in the fight against corruption- Conclusions from focus group discussions
Institute for democracy, within the framework of the program “Citizens against corruption”, made qualitative research, to obtain information about citizens’ perceptions of corruption, as well as more knowledge about the motivations and obstacles for their active participation in the fight against corruption. From the insights gained from the participants’ thoughts in focus groups on various […]
IDSCS participated at policy forum “Anti-Corruption, Democratic Resilience and Economic Security” in Sofia
To discuss efforts for sustainable reform, the Regional Anti-Corruption Network “Southeast Europe Leadership for Development and Integrity” (SELDI) hosted the international policy forum “Anti-Corruption, Democratic Resilience and Economic Security” in Sofia on 9 November 2023. Dr. Ognian Shentov, Chairman of CSD, and Siri Beate Barry, Ambassador of Norway, greeted the participants at the forum and stressed the […]
Open questions about publicly funded election advertising
There are weaknesses in the regulation that are a potential risk for abuse and corruption, related to state advertising and paid political advertising in the media. For this purpose, the Institute for Democracy organized an event where the dangers of state and paid political advertising were discussed with a reference to the current legal measures […]
The progress of the Parliament in implementing GRECO’s recommendations
The Parliament plays the central role in the fight against corruption. The MPs adopt laws, elect the leadership, decide on the budget and supervise the work of the anti-corruption institutions. Hence, for the fight against corruption it is especially important to implement standards and mechanisms for preventing corruption and building the integrity of the MPs. […]