Macedonian Protest

On May 13, after  a surveillance scandal the Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski accepted the resignation of the Interior Minister Ms. Jankulovska, Transport Minister Mile Janakieski, and the intelligence chiefe Mr. Mimalkov. This was after allegations from opposition leaders that these three led government attempts to control the press, as well as judiciary and electoral officials by tapping their phones. The government denies all allegations. Also, in a clash following a police raid in an ethnic Albanian neighborhood, fourteen ethnic Albanians and eight police officers died. Demonstrators demanded the PM's resignation or they will take to the streets on Sunday, May 17.

Today, Sunday May 17, the demonstrators followed up on their threat by holding rally outside the PM's office in the Macedonian capital of Skopje. The demonstrators carry both Albanian and Macedonian flags to show unity. The government claims the demonstration is the opposition's way of destabilizing the country for its own benefit and will be organizing a counter-demonstration for Monday. The opposition leader Zoran Zaev has continued to release recordings accusing the government of wiretapping 20,000 people including politicians, journalists, and even religious leaders. The recordings also accuse corruption at high government levels including mismanagement of funds, dubious criminal prosecutions of opponents, and cover-ups of murders. Zoran Zaev calls for the resignation of the PM and calls for new elections. PM Gruevski accuses Zoran Zaev of organizing a coup on behest of unnamed foreign spy agencies wanting to over through the conservative government. Zoran Zaev says the protest outside the PM's office will stop until the PM resigns.

-Cori Elsesser


Articles:

May 13 - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32718448
May 17 - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32771233