Skopje, 10 March 2026 (MIA) - The Government has nominated Criminal Court judge Nenad Saveski for new Chief Prosecutor. The proposal will be forwarded to the Parliament, which elects the Chief Prosecutor by a simple majority of 61 MP votes.

Spokesperson Marija Miteva said at Tuesday's press conference that the Government's nomination was guided by the principles of professionalism, integrity, competence and consistent commitment to the rule of law.

"Nenad Saveski is a Criminal Court judge who has built a reputation as an expert with professional integrity and commitment to the principles of legality and justice," said Miteva.

Saveski, 50, lives in Gostivar, married and father of three. He earned an M.A. degree in penal law from the Skopje-based Faculty of Law and passed the bar in 2003. He has been a Criminal Court judge in the Department of Organized Crime and Corruption since 2016.

Saveski was also engaged as an expert by OSCE, the National Convention on the EU - Chapter 23, Council of Europe and USAID. He is a member of the working groups on judicial reforms and was hired for projects on special investigative measures, detention and criminal proceedings.

Saveski is also a lecturer at the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, a national tutor and trainer in the Council of Europe's HELP programme, as well as trainer on human rights and criminal law.

"During the discussion, it was highlighted that the election of a Chief Prosecutor is an issue of exceptional importance for the credibility of the entire judicial system. That is why we approach this process with extreme caution and responsibility, considering the need for professionalization and strengthening the independence of the Public Prosecutor's Office, as well as further enhancement of the efficiency in law implementation. The nomination is based on expert assessments and opinions from the Council of Public Prosecutors, along with analysis of the professional integrity, experience and prior results," said Miteva.

Asked about the other candidates and the criteria used for Saveski's nomination, the Spokesperson said the Government had a constructive discussion on the professionalism and personal integrity and credibility of each candidate, based on which it made a decision.

Five candidates submitted applications at the Parliament’s public call for election of the Chief Prosecutor - Acting Chief Prosecutor Anita Topolova-Isajlovska, prosecutor Lenche Ristovska, Criminal Court judge Nenad Saveski, former Criminal Court president Vladimir Panchevski and Skopje-based prosecutor Lidija Raichevikj.

Last month, the Council of Public Prosecutors reviewed the five candidates and approved the candidacies of Topolova Isajlovska, Ristovska, Saveski and Raichevikj, while rejecting Panchevski's candidacy over unmet seniority requirements.

In a TV interview last month, PM Mickoski said the Government is only considering three of the forwarded candidates, and not Lenche Ristoska, who was a prosecutor in the former Special Prosecutor’s Office.

Anita Topolova Isajlovska was elected Acting Chief Prosecutor, succeeding Ljupcho Kocevski who resigned on December 17, 2025. Topolova Isajlovska serves in the post until a new prosecutor is elected, no longer than six months.

Photo: Nenad Saveski Facebook