The main difficulties that Macedonian citizens are facing are high unemployment, a poor system of social security, a poorly organised healthcare system and a justice system that lacks in efficiency, Macedonian Ombudsman Branko Naumoski said in an interview for STA.
There are many difficulties in the area of justice. Besides the slow decision-making procedures, there is the interference of political parties with the judicial branch, said Naumoski, who recently took part in a meeting of ombudsmen from countries of the former Yugoslavia, who convened in Ljubljana.

In examining complaints, the ombudsman has the right to demand documents from state authorities and interrogate officials. If any violations are established, the ombudsman's office usually issues recommendations on how to deal with them. If the decision is not respected, they notify a minister, the prime minister of even the parliament, which can launch a procedure to dismiss a certain official.

In general, the state authorities respect the ombudsman; if his decisions are ignored, Naumoski also tends to turn to the media. A good case of the authorities' irresponsible actions was the division of 500 subsidised apartments, which the former authorities divided without any real criteria, he said. Following the Ombudsman's warnings, the new government which was elected in the autumn annulled the decision on the division of apartments.

The ombudsman's term in office lasts for eight years - Naumoski was elected first Macedonian ombudsmen in 1997 - and is confirmed by the parliament. His office currently employs some 30 people, mostly legal experts.