Reactions to US Blacklisting Struga Mayor Merko Continue

PM Dimitar Kovacevski addressed criticism at the judiciary of North Macedonia after the
US Department of State blacklisted Struga Mayor Ramiz Merko, claiming that he has
been involved in corruptive activities and abused office. “I am puzzled by the fact that the
US managed to find elements of corruption with Merko, while our judicial organs found
nothing on him so far. This is one great additional proof that a complete reconstruction
of the judiciary in our country is more than necessary. Merko must take responsibility
before the citizens who have elected him, and I think party groups in the Struga
municipal council need to reconsider the support for his activities,” Kovacevski said. His
statements prompted a reaction from VMRO-DPMNE, in which they called upon
Kovacevski to not act surprised, because SDSM had rule and control over the judicial
organs for the past 6 years now. In the meantime, the Judicial Council decided to conduct
an urgent inspection at the Basic Court in Struga.