Skopje 2028 Cultural Capital Law Removed from Parliamentary Agenda

Skopje 2028 cultural capital law parliamentary agenda procurement exemption anti‑corruption

The Macedonian parliament’s draft law to establish a special foundation for the “Skopje – European Capital of Culture 2028” project was withdrawn from the agenda after a special coordination led by Assembly President Afri Gashi. The proposal, set to be considered under a shortened legislative procedure without public consultation, would create a foundation exempt from the public procurement law, allowing acquisitions of public and private property and financing of more than €20 million, largely from public funds.

Opposition parties, the Platform for the Fight Against Corruption and the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption warned that bypassing the procurement law poses a high risk of corruption. The commission stressed that any exemption must retain the mechanisms and safeguards of the procurement law. Mayor Orce Gjorgievski has already appointed Marjan Cvjetkovski as director of the not‑yet‑formed foundation, prompting further criticism.

Citizen organisations have demanded that parliament halt the draft law, and the public debate highlighted calls for transparency and accountability over the use of public money.

Entities: Afri Gashi · European Capital of Culture 2028 · Marjan Cvjetkovski · Orce Gjorgievski · Skopje · State Commission for Prevention of Corruption · State Commission for Prevention of Corruption (Macedonia)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] A coalition of citizen organisations demanded that parliament halt the draft law establishing a Skopje European Capital of Culture 2028 foundation. (source)
[DISPUTED] North Macedonia's parliament is scheduled to vote soon on the draft law for Skopje 2028. (source)
[● 3 SOURCES] The foundation would be financed with more than €20 million, largely from public funds. (source)
[● 3 SOURCES] The State Commission for Prevention of Corruption warned that bypassing the procurement law poses a high corruption risk. (source)
[● 5 SOURCES] The proposed law would create a foundation exempt from the public procurement law. (source)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The foundation would be allowed to acquire and invest in public and private property. (draft law provisions)
[● 2 SOURCES] The draft law is being considered under a shortened legislative procedure without public consultation. (source)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Mayor Orce Gjorgievski appointed Marjan Cvjetkovski as director of the not‑yet‑formed foundation. (source)
[DISPUTED] The draft law was withdrawn from the parliamentary agenda after a special coordination by Assembly President Afri Gashi. (source)