Skopje, 7 April 2026 (MIA) - The Government adopted Tuesday the Law on Adequate and Fair Representation that Minister of European Affairs Bekim Sali said sets a balance and foundations for a professional, transparent, modern and strong multiethnic administration.

"Special attention is dedicated to the improvement of the representation of citizens belonging to communities that are underrepresented in the state authorities and other public sector institutions, with qualifications, skills and competence being the primary requirement, while belonging to an underrepresented community is taken as the secondary criterion, in case of equal qualifications and competence of candidates. This is the way to strengthen trust between citizens and communities, and the country as well," said Minister Sali.

According to him, the law's only goal is to make the administration a true service for all citizens, built on knowledge, professionalism, responsibility and integrity.

"We are not building serious institutions by leaving gaps but by establishing order and responsibility. This law sets the balance but also the foundations of a professional, transparent, modern and strong multiethnic administration. A strong administration is not in the interest of one community but in the interest of all citizens. Everyone benefits from just and efficient institutions," said Sali.

He added that the law will be forwarded to the Parliament, "where we expect serious debate, because this is an issue that the country needs and one that should have been solved much earlier".

Government Spokesperson Venera Azizi said the law's adoption completes an important process that went through several stages, including an opinion from the Venice Commission.

"The constitutional principle of adequate and fair representation is raised at the level of a law that is mandatory for all state institutions. After the Constitutional Court's decision to cancel the 'balancer', it became clear that the country can no longer implement partial solutions or temporary mechanisms. We needed a law, and we have such a law now. For the first time on record, the adequate and fair representation is not only a general principle but an obligation for institutions," noted Azizi.

She added that the law has the seal of approval from the Venice Commission, meaning it was not a text hastily adopted but a solution that went through a serious legal and institutional filter.

"The law stipulates the formation of a coordinating body for monitoring of the law's implementation in practice. The law also says that alignment with the relevant legislation will take place within six months of its adoption, along with the passage of bylaws that regulate the details of its implementation. One of the main goals is to shrink the room for ambiguities, improvisation and abuse that created problems and mistrust in the past," said Azizi.

Photo: Government