Skopje, 26 January 2026 (MIA) - Five candidates so far have applied for the post of state chief public prosecutor of the Republic of North Macedonia, including incumbent acting chief prosecutor Anita Topolova Isajlovska, prosecutor Lenche Ristovska, Criminal Court judge Nenad Savevski, former Criminal Court president Vladimir Panchevski and prosecutor Lidija Raichevikj. The deadline for candidates to apply expires Monday midnight.

Criminal Court judge Savevski and prosecutor Raichevikj confirmed their candidacies for MIA, while in a statement to the media, prosecutor Ristovska and acting chief public prosecutor Topolova Isajlovska also confirmed theirs.

Former Skopje-based Court president Vladimir Panchevski has also confirmed his candidacy for the post. Panchevski's application submitted to the Parliament on January 21 states that he meets all legal requirements for performing the function of chief public prosecutor.

Former head of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje, Mustafa Hajrullahi, also announced his candidacy for the post. He did, however, withdrew his intention.

Anita Topolova Isajlovska was elected acting state chief public prosecutor, succeeding Ljupcho Kocevski who resigned on December 17, 2025. Topolova Isajlovska serves as chief state public prosecutor until a new one is elected, no longer than six months. 

The Parliament issued a call for election of a Chief Prosecutor on January 12, 2026. After a 15-day application process, the Government asks for an opinion on all applicants from the Council of Public Prosecutors. If an opinion is not provided, the deadline is extended for another 15 days, after which the opinion is deemed positive. In case the Council fails to give a positive opinion on any of the applicants, the Government asks the Parliament to issue a new call.

Photo: MIA archive