The State Audit Office (DRZ) identified inefficient management of strategic projects during the tenure of SDSM and DUI. The state paid 4.6 million EUR in fees for undrawn funds while the Railway Corridor 8 project remained unfinished for years, according to a statement from VMRO-DPMNE.

This is a serious scandal resulting from SDS and DUI’s irresponsible management of strategic infrastructure projects. The first and second phases were not completed, deadlines were missed, and instead of railway infrastructure, citizens were left with costs running into the millions and new debts. DZR noted inefficient management and further warned of the risk of losing a €61 million European grant for the third phase of Railway Corridor 8. Who is responsible for these failures? Who allowed the state to pay millions of euros in fees? And who will be held accountable if the state budget suffered losses due to someone’s actions or inaction? SDS and DUI managed citizens’ money irresponsibly, VMRO-DPMNE said in its statement.

The ruling party called on state prosecutors to act upon the DZR findings. All decisions, contracts, procedures, and responsible individuals must be investigated to determine whether there are grounds for criminal liability.