North Macedonia political parties clash over data center projects

Political tension in North Macedonia has escalated over the development of national data centers. The ruling VMRO-DPMNE party argues that constructing a primary national data center is a strategic necessity for digital transformation and cybersecurity, forming a key part of the Reform Agenda with the European Union. They emphasize that while a secondary center exists in Prilep, a centralized primary facility is required to protect state institutions from cyberattacks.

Conversely, the opposition SDSM, led by figures such as Venco Filipce, has criticized these projects. SDSM alleges that the government is negotiating commercial data center deals ‘under the radar’ with foreign investors, potentially compromising national resources like water and electricity. The opposition claims these private commercial interests are being conflated with the EU-backed public reform agenda to mask lack of transparency and prioritize private profit over public utility.