North Macedonia cancels €19.2 million World Bank loan

North Macedonia World Bank loan loan cancellation economic growth claim inflation

North Macedonia’s parliament approved amendments to the borrowing law that replace an existing €20 million World Bank loan framework with a new €25 million framework for improving public‑expenditure management, transparency and tax administration. The amendment also terminates the unused portion of the previous loan, cancelling €19.2 million after only €0.8 million had been drawn. The loan‑termination date was moved forward to 30 September 2026, earlier than the original 31 December 2027 deadline.

Prime Minister Zoran Mikic has claimed that the country’s economic growth now exceeds the EU average, a statement contested by critics who point to inflation of 4.5 % – well above the EU’s 2.9 % – and to wages data showing more than 72 % of employees earn below the national average. The government continues to seek new borrowing despite these pressures.

Entities

Levica · Nikolche Jankulovski · North Macedonia · Parliament of North Macedonia · Stopanska Bank · World Bank · Zoran Mikic

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The World Bank loan was intended to build transparent and accountable public‑finance institutions. www.slobodenpecat.mk · zurnal.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] More than 72% of Macedonian employees earn below the national average wage. vocentar.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Stopanska Bank had 341 closed accounts linked to the closed companies.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Inflation in North Macedonia reached 4.5%, higher than the EU average of 2.9%. vocentar.com
[DISPUTED] Macedonia cancelled €19.2 million of a World Bank loan, having spent only €800,000 of it. www.slobodenpecat.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] In the first half of 2026, 1,819 Macedonian companies were closed.
[○ 1 SOURCE] An amendment to the borrowing law sets the loan termination date to 30 September 2026, moving it up from 31 December 2027. www.slobodenpecat.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Prime Minister Zoran Mikic claimed that North Macedonia’s economic growth exceeds the EU average. vocentar.com
[DISPUTED] Macedonia cancelled €19.2 million of the World Bank loan, having drawn only €0.8 million. www.slobodenpecat.mk
[● 4 SOURCES] Parliament approved amendments creating a new €25 million World Bank loan framework and closing the previous €20 million framework. zurnal.mk · libertas.mk · press24.mk · nezavisen.mk