Skopje, 17 March 2026 (MIA) — A parliamentary committee has approved Aco Ristov as the nominee for Energy Regulatory Commission president, aiming to fill the vacancy left by the recent resignation of Marko Bislimoski.

Earlier Tuesday, the Committee on Election and Appointment Issues voted 7-2 in favor of the nomination. Ristov is an electrical engineer with years of management experience in energy, water supply, mining and infrastructure. Most recently, from 2021 to 2025, he served as Radovish mayor.

Another applicant, Shamil Rexhepi, an ERC employee since 2004, was disqualified because his master’s degree is in economics rather than engineering.

Committee chair Gjorgjija Sajkovski cited Rexhepi’s degree and outdated citizenship documentation as grounds for the disqualification. "A graduate economist is not listed in the announcement," Sajkovski said.

DUI MP Arbana Pasholli argued that Article 47 of the Energy Law allows for candidates with different educational backgrounds. She said the announcement’s focus on electrical engineering was not in line with the law.

Sajkovski defended the criteria, noting that the previous ERC president also held an engineering degree. 

Bislimoski resigned on Feb. 12. Ristov's nomination will now be forwarded to Parliament for a final vote. mr/