Protesters ransack Macedonia president’s office as crisis deepens

Series Title
Series Details 14.04.16
Publication Date 14/04/2016
Content Type

Protesters ransacked the offices of FYR Macedonia’s presidency on 13 April 2016 and set fire to the furniture, as thousands took to the Skopje’s streets in a deepening political crisis.

Sporadic clashes broke out in the capital city as demonstrators pelted buildings with eggs and stones, with one group smashing all the windows at president Gjorge Ivanov’s public offices before setting the furniture alight.

The political crisis in the country was reignited by Mr Ivanov's decision to pardon all politicians facing crime investigations - undermining the work of the Special Prosecution, which was set up to investigate wire-tapping allegations and other alleged crimes.

Protesters took to the streets of Skopje for the fourth night in a row on the 15 April 2016 after Macedonia confirmed that elections would take place on the 5 June 2016 despite pressure from the US and EU to postpone them.

The European Union called on the 18 April 2016 for talks with Macedonian leaders to take place in Vienna on the 22 April 2016 to try to resolve the situation.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/protesters-ransack-macedonia-presidents-office-as-crisis-deepens/
Related Links
ESO: Background information: EU and US say Macedonia not ready to hold elections http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-and-us-say-macedonia-not-ready-to-hold-elections/
BBC News, 12.04.16: Macedonia president halts wiretapping inquiry http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36031417
Balkan Insight, 12.04.16: ‘Political Pressure’ Alleged on Macedonia Voter Roll Clean-Up http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonia-electoral-roll-clean-up-doubted-04-11-2016
Balkan Insight, 13.04.16: Macedonia Braces for Protests Against President's Pardon http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonia-braces-for-more-protests-04-13-2016
EUObserver, 13.04.16: EU dismayed as Macedonia crisis reignites https://euobserver.com/enlargement/133032
EurActiv, 13.04.16: EU doubts if credible elections in Macedonia are still possible http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/eu-doubts-if-credible-elections-in-macedonia-are-still-possible/
Balkan Insight, 13.04.16: Macedonia Police Disperses Anti-President Protest http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonia-police-disperses-anti-president-protest-04-13-2016
Deutsche Welle, 13.04.16: Protesters break into Macedonian president's office, set furniture alight; smash windows at ministry http://dw.com/p/1IUyL
Deutsche Welle, 12.04.16: Macedonian president halts probes into wiretapping http://dw.com/p/1IUCX
The New York Times, 12.04.16: Protests Erupt in Macedonia as President Halts Wiretapping Inquiry http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/13/world/europe/macedonia-gjorge-ivanov-wiretapping-corruption-investigation.html
EurActiv, 15.04.16: West condemns Macedonian president’s amnesty for corrupt officials http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/west-condemns-macedonian-presidents-amnesty-for-corrupt-officials/
The Guardian, 16.04.16: Protests amid crisis after Macedonia calls snap elections for June http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/16/protests-amid-crisis-after-macedonia-calls-snap-elections-for-june
EU: EEAS: Statement, 12.04.16: Statement by the Spokesperson on the latest development in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2016/160412_03_en.htm
BBC News, 15.04.16: Macedonia corruption: Fourth night of protests as snap election called http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36058173
EurActiv, 15.04.16: Tusk says Macedonia’s EU and NATO future ‘at risk’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/tusk-says-macedonias-eu-and-nato-future-at-risk/
EurActiv, 19.04.16: Hahn invites Macedonia leaders to Vienna talks http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/hahn-invites-macedonia-leaders-to-vienna-talks/
Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 19.04.16: Macedonia’s political crisis: Make or break for civil society http://bit.ly/1ShEBuW
EurActiv, 21.04.16: Macedonian opposition sets conditions for joining Vienna talks http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/macedonia-opposition-sets-conditions-for-joining-vienna-talks/

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