A member of VMRO-DPMNE has accused Venko Filipche, the former Minister of Health, and Zoran Zaev, the former Prime Minister, of corruption related to public procurement during the COVID-19 crisis. Valentin Manasievski, a member of the CC of VMRO-DPMNE, stated that the pair are only interested in personal gain through commissions, citing a specific example of a tomography procurement.

Manasievski alleges that Filipche, who he describes as Zaev’s “favorite pawn,” oversaw a public procurement for tomography equipment during the pandemic that cost Macedonian citizens an additional 15 million denars. He claims that the initial public call for tomography, budgeted at 21 million denars, was canceled because it “did not suit them,” and a new, more expensive tender was issued with the same company, increasing the cost by 15 million denars.

Manasievski summarized that Zaev and Filipche allegedly arranged a tender to their liking, making it more expensive for citizens during a time when vaccines were urgently needed. He questioned whether the alleged destruction of Macedonian healthcare and dignity was worth a skyscraper in Dubai.