Goran Minchev proposes merit-based hiring law in North Macedonia

North Macedonia's Minister of Public Administration, Goran Minchev, has announced that a new law on equitable representation aims to ensure public sector hiring is based on merit, knowledge, and quality rather than ethnic identity. This legislative move follows the Constitutional Court's decision to abolish the ‘Balancer’ digital tool due to reported abuses and the manipulation of ethnic identity in employment.

The proposed law was drafted by university professors and constitutional law experts and has received a positive opinion from the Venice Commission. To prevent future manipulation, the legislation proposes the creation of a specialized body within the Agency for Administration, composed of ministers and experts, to oversee the process.

Minister Minchev noted that the legislative process is currently stalled in Parliament due to opposition and blockades from the DUI party. He emphasized that ethnic representation must be constitutionally guaranteed but should not take precedence over professional expertise, citing data that showed ethnic community representation remained stable during periods of merit-based testing.