North Macedonia political crisis over Alta Bank entry

Alta Bank Hristijan Mickoski Trajko Slaveski SDSM banking crisis

The opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) has accused Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and National Bank Governor Trajko Slaveski of facilitating the entry of Serbia’s Alta Bank into the Macedonian market. SDSM claims that Slaveski admitted the decision was made by Mickoski to satisfy “political sensitivity.”

The opposition alleges that the bank, owned by the Alta Group, is linked to suspicious capital and criminal networks. They claim the bank’s formal owner, Davor Matsura, previously operated a currency exchange and that the transaction was approved despite sanctions and suspensions facing the Alta Group in other European jurisdictions. SDSM further alleges that the government attempted to offer state enterprise shares to benefit Matsura and Alta Bank.

In response, Prime Minister Mickoski has dismissed these claims as attempts to spread panic. He stated that the government and the National Bank are in control of the situation and is actively seeking a new buyer to ensure the bank remains a healthy financial institution. Mickoski assured citizens that all depositors will be compensated to the last cent, noting that most deposits are protected by the Deposit Insurance Fund.

Meanwhile, the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party has called on the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate SDSM for allegedly spreading panic and attempting to sabotage state institutions.

Entities

ALTA Bank · DUI · Hristijan Mickoski · Jon Frčkoski · North Macedonia · SDSM · Social Democratic Union of Macedonia · Trajko Slaveski · VMRO-DPMNE

Claims

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

[● 3 SOURCES] The European Central Bank temporarily suspended the voting rights of the Alta Group in August 2024. tocka.com.mk · skopje1.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Prime Minister Mickoski stated that the government is working to find a new owner for Alta Bank. libertas.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] Arta Bilali Zendeli called for criminal and political responsibility regarding the acquisition of the former Ekonomiska Banka of Manastir by Alta Bank. ts.mk · albeu.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Bogdanka Kuzeska claims Trajko Slaveski admitted the decision for Alta Bank was based on political sensitivity. skopje1.mk · utrinskivesnik.mk · makfax.com.mk · zoom.mk · opserver.mk · +1 more
[● 2 SOURCES] VMRO-DPMNE called on the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate SDSM for spreading panic. libertas.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Mickoski stated that every depositor will be compensated to the last cent. libertas.mk
[● 7 SOURCES] SDSM claims the government issued instructions to public enterprises to consider acquiring shares in Alta Bank. tocka.com.mk · makfax.com.mk · zoom.mk · opserver.mk · skopje1.mk · +2 more
[● 8 SOURCES] SDSM accuses Prime Minister Mickoski of facilitating the entry of Alta Bank into the Macedonian market. press24.mk · skopje1.mk · utrinskivesnik.mk · makfax.com.mk · zoom.mk · +2 more
[● 2 SOURCES] VMRO-DPMNE called on the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate SDSM for the crime of sabotage. vmro-dpmne.org.mk · makpress.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] DUI seeks criminal and political accountability regarding the acquisition of the former Ekonomiska Banka of Manastir by Alta Bank. albeu.com
[● 4 SOURCES] SDSM claims the government offered state enterprise shares to benefit Davor Matsura and Alta Bank. makfax.com.mk · skopje1.mk · vocentar.com · utrinskivesnik.mk