In North Macedonia, the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code mark a major shift in the country’s criminal law framework and are also closely tied to its broader EU integration efforts, according to Lalicic & Partners Partner Angela Andonova.
“The proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, submitted in December 2025, do not represent merely technical legislative corrections, but rather constitute a broader institutional response to the consequences of the September 2023 amendments, which significantly weakened the prosecution of corruption and organized crime,” Andonova says. “Most notably, the amendments are expected to significantly strengthen the fight against corruption, reversing several changes that had previously weakened corruption-related enforcement.” She adds that the proposal is currently subject to public debate. “The amendments also aim to align national legislation with the European Commission’s recommendations, as outlined in the EU’s 2023 Progress Report.”
A core part of the reform, according to Andonova, “focuses on offenses linked to the abuse of official position and authority. The amendments reinstate previously removed forms of criminal conduct, including misuse of office and abuses in public procurement procedures, while introducing stricter penalties that once again enable effective prosecution of high-level corruption cases. These changes address the practical consequences of earlier decriminalization, which had significantly weakened corruption prosecutions in recent years.”
“The Criminal Code is further strengthened through an expanded approach to asset confiscation and enforcement,” Andonova adds. “The proposal widens the catalogue of criminal offences that can trigger confiscation. In addition, it expands the scope of extended confiscation by widening the catalogue of criminal offenses that can trigger such measures. This includes assets that are disproportionate to lawful income, as well as property transferred to third parties or family members, which is intended to prevent offenders from shielding illegally obtained assets.”
Another significant new development, Andonova says, is the introduction of a criminal offense covering “the misuse of intimate images, audio recordings, or video materials, including cases linked to sexual autonomy and privacy. Previously, victims often had limited legal options and were forced to rely on other provisions or file complaints that did not fully capture the nature of the harm.” Prosecutors, in turn, “had to ‘fit’ the conduct into existing offenses, which made enforcement inconsistent and often inadequate,” she continues. “The new offense is designed to directly address these situations, particularly in cases where materials shared within a private relationship are later used for pressure, control, humiliation, or intimidation. The legislative intent is to recognize that this type of abuse can have consequences comparable to physical harm, and to send a clear message that such conduct is not merely a ‘private dispute,’ but a criminal act subject to prosecution.”
Finally, Andonova notes that “the proposal introduces stricter measures in relation to severe traffic offenses. These include mandatory confiscation of vehicles and higher penalties, particularly in cases involving bodily injury or death.”
“Overall, the amendments have the potential to reshape North Macedonia’s criminal law system in a meaningful way,” Andonova says. “At the same time, their real impact will depend on consistent implementation and institutional integrity. If applied effectively, the reforms could strengthen constitutional capacity, improve anti-corruption enforcement, and contribute to the gradual restoration of public trust. However, it remains essential to underline that the success of the new framework will rely heavily on the independence of prosecutors and the integrity of institutions responsible for enforcement. In that sense, these amendments represent not only a legal reform, but also a test of institutional maturity and a benchmark for the country’s future progress in the rule of law.”
