On the eve of the local elections, the construction expansion begins, streets are dug, sidewalks are repaired, new parks are built, the realization of capital investments is accelerated, but the builders often react that the lowest price as a criterion in public procurement is still a problem. for participating companies. The state, they say, is pushing for a steady increase in wages, but that is almost impossible when working for "small money".

Ninety percent of public procurement is selected according to the criterion of the lowest bid price. On the other hand, the state constantly insists on increasing workers' wages, but how will we do that if we can not earn. Last in line is the motivation of non-working days by declaring the week a non-working day, which is impossible, especially at the height of the construction season. Instead of increasing productivity, we motivate not working - says Andrea Serafimovski, President of the Construction Group at the Economic Chamber of Macedonia.

In their reports and analyzes, the European Commission, the civil society sector and the business community have continuously noted the use of the "lowest price" as the sole criterion. Among the most drastic examples were the procurement of drugs and other medical needs, when the procurement of cheaper drugs and medical supplies in the absence of quality criteria, can have detrimental consequences on the health and lives of citizens. An example was the procurement of food for kindergartens, schools, hospitals, where the quality of food should take precedence over the lowest price that can have harmful consequences on health.

One of the most controversial moments pointed out by the civil society organizations was the fact that despite the lowest price of electronic auctions, more money was spent from the budget due to the numerous annex contracts to the already signed contracts, so the final price increased at least several times. Citizens react that some of the completed buildings or streets are so poor quality, that instead of asphalt, they seem to be "smeared with butter" and after a few months new holes are opened or "rails" and recesses are made from heavy vehicles.

- What do they pave the streets with? They will sort them out there, dig them up again. Every year how to repair the same streets and sidewalks. Once it is asphalted, then the next year it is dug again and paver elements are placed, then bigger granite cubes in color are lined up. The "fashion" of building materials is probably followed - the citizens ironize.

In all procurements, the only criterion for obtaining a contract is the lowest price. This criterion and the e-auction were mandatory with the previous Law on Public Procurement for contracting authorities, while with the new Law on Public Procurement that entered into force in early 2019, this obligation has been exceeded, but research shows that the lowest price is still criterion in 95% of the procurements, and e-auction is conducted in 93% of the tenders.