Thomas Weiss urges North Macedonia to strengthen rule of law

European Parliament rapporteur Thomas Weiss addressed the EU-North Macedonia Committee, emphasizing that fighting corruption is an investment in societal trust rather than just a requirement for EU accession. Weiss noted that while all EU member states face corruption, the distinction lies in the accountability of the wealthy, citing an Austrian real estate scandal where high-profile individuals faced legal consequences.

Weiss warned that the perception of nepotism and lack of meritocracy in state administration is a primary driver of the brain drain among North Macedonian youth. He stressed that if citizens cannot be convinced that justice applies equally to everyone, they will continue to emigrate.

Separately, North Macedonia is facing a labor market paradox. Data from the second quarter of 2026 shows approximately 90,020 unemployed individuals alongside thousands of unfilled positions. This mismatch is driven by a gap between available skills and employer needs, particularly in the service, retail, and construction sectors. Additionally, informal employment is rising, with over 101,000 workers operating without regulated employment relations.