Skopje, 21 October 2024 (MIA) - An informal Inter-Party Parliamentary Group against Corruption was set up in the Parliament on Monday, with MPs Sonja Mirakovska of NSDP and Ljupcho Prendzhov of VMRO-DPMNE elected as co-chairs.

Fifty-three lawmakers of all parties have joined the group, with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) taking part in the drafting of the group's rules of procedures.

MP Mirakovska expects the group to become a significant tool of the Parliament in its efforts to prevent corruption, focusing on improvement of laws in the sectors prone to corruption.

"This group will follow the efficiency of institutions tasked with the fight against corruption, as well as put forward and take part in the oversight of institutions in order to increase their transparency and accountability. We expect involvement and support of the civil society, but also institutions tasked with the fight against corruption, so we can jointly plan and realize this process," said Mirakovska.

According to her, the Parliament must play a proactive role in the fight against corruption, since the phenomenon represents a threat to the life and well-being of citizens.

"It has no affiliation, it is easily adaptable to power. This phenomenon decimates the citizens' trust in the state apparatus. The Parliament must have a proactive role in the fight against corruption," noted Mirakovska.

NDI's Lidija Zafirovska said there are very few cases of such a group across the globe, including in the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament.

"All parties have said in their programmes they would give these efforts a prominent place, since our analyses and our daily cooperation with the Parliament has shown this to be of secondary importance until now," said Zafirovska.

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