Skopje, 26 August 2021 (MIA) – In the past 30 years office holders stressed the need for an agreement to be reached in regard to asset confiscation, but I’m glad that as a new generation of politicians, we played a part in the new law, Deputy Prime Minister Ljupcho Nikolovski, who is in charge of fight against crime and corruption, told TV21 on Thursday evening. “For the first time since 1974, we’re set to adopt a legal framework for the law on asset origin, so that no one can get rich on the expense of the citizens, and eliminate all institutional weaknesses in the process of confiscation and division of illegal assets. Administrative process have unfortunately failed, the SCPC for example has not seized any illegal assets,” he said. Nikolovski underlined that the law will apply to all citizens, including former office holders. This will demotivate citizens from having someone else’s assets, especially those of office holders, signed off to them. He added that a draft-discussion had taken place, attended by members of the Council of Europe, the SCPC, prosecutors and judges, noting that the draft-law is expected to be finalized by the end of August, which will be followed by a public debate. Moreover, the Deputy PM expressed expectations that political stakeholders will support the new law. “You can’t drive an EUR 50,000 car, have five flats and vacation homes, and be untouchable. Criminal processes are ineffective, there have been zero confiscation. Our generation is different and will focus on the goal. The law is in the works, based on a clear feasibility study implemented in a dozen countries. We’re not asking for new competences, but a legal solution so that no one can get rich on the expense of the people,” Nikolovski told TV21.