Anti-Corruption Drive Widens, Fuel VAT Cut Amid New Traffic System Launch
Get European news in your inbox daily
A short daily digest of the whole continent — or just the countries you care about.
Check your email. We've sent a confirmation link — click it to complete your subscription.
A major police operation saw raids on 32 locations across Skopje, including official facilities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, signaling a widening of the ongoing anti-corruption crackdown. This development coincides with reports that citizens are increasingly bypassing the police to report bribery attempts directly to the Public Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime. The opposition Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) has also weighed in, calling for a thorough investigation into all bribery allegations.
In new policy announcements, the government has reduced the Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuels to 10%, a move expected to decrease diesel prices while slightly increasing gasoline costs. Concurrently, a new 'Safe City' system has been launched to enforce traffic regulations, with Minister of Internal Affairs Panče Toškovski emphasizing its role in saving lives rather than merely generating revenue.
Amid these domestic developments, the opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (LSDM) has put forward a proposal for a minimum wage of 600 euros. The nation also reflects on its independence, marking the anniversary of the 1991 referendum where citizens overwhelmingly voted for sovereignty. Meanwhile, the persistent issue of inadequate state support for children with autism continues to be highlighted, with one mother still accompanying her twins to school due to the lack of dedicated assistants.