Smoke and smell of gunpowder in the political dust of Macedonia

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Series Details 13.05.15
Publication Date 13/05/2015
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The clashes between the police and armed groups of ethnic Albanians from Kosovo and Macedonia in Kumanovo on the 9 May 2015 - which left eight dead and over 30 policemen wounded - returned Macedonia to the headlines 14 years after the conflict ended in 2001. This follows on the heels of allegations of corruption raised by the biggest opposition party Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) which disclosed wiretapped conversations of highly-placed government representatives. The government has not denied them, claiming only that the conversations were 'edited so as to leave it open to accusations of corruption, serious violations of the electoral process, and politicization of government institutions.

Moreover, the opposition announced protests for 17 May 2015, which they predicted would result in the resignation of the Government, the formation of a transitional government and snap elections.

News sources reported on the 17 May 2015 that 20,000 people protested in Skopje in a rare display of ethnic unity against Macedonia's Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. Pro-government organised a counter-demonstration for the 18 May 2015.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_smoke_and_gunpowder_in_the_political_dust_of_macedonia3022
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Macedonia policemen killed in gunfight with 'terrorist group' / EU, US 'cast serious doubt' on Macedonia's commitment to democracy http://www.europeansources.info/record/macedonia-policemen-killed-in-gunfight-with-terrorist-group-eu-us-cast-serious-doubt-on-macedonias-commitment-to-democracy/
Deutsche Welle, 17.05.15: Anti-government protesters take to streets of Skopje http://dw.de/p/1FR4M
Deutsche Welle, 15.05.15: Macedonian turmoil approaches new peak http://dw.de/p/1FQKc
BBC News, 17.05.15: Macedonia protests: Anti-Gruevski rally in Skopje http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32771233
EUObserver, 18.05.15: Tens of thousands urge Macedonia PM to go https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/128723
EurActiv, 18.05.15: European parties add fuel to fire in Macedonia http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/european-parties-add-fuel-fire-macedonia-314621
Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 18.05.15: Mass demonstration in Macedonia http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER163176-Mass-demonstration-in-Macedonia
BBC News, 18.05.15: Macedonia's massed protesters turn heat on PM Gruevski http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32778425
Deutsche Welle, 18.05.15: PM Gruevski to meet opponents as protests continue over Macedonia wiretapping http://dw.de/p/1FRLj
Euronews, 18.0515: FYR Macedonia: opposition supporters turn up heat on prime minister http://www.euronews.com/2015/05/18/fyr-macedonia-opposition-supporters-turn-up-heat-on-prime-minister/
Euronews, 18.0515: FYR Macedonia rights concerns spike over bloodshed http://www.euronews.com/2015/05/18/fyr-macedonia-rights-concerns-spike-over-bloodshed/
Balkan Insight, 18.05.15: Macedonian PM Rallies Supporters With Defiant Speech http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/embattled-macedonian-pm-gets-support-at-rally
France24, 18.05.15: Macedonia’s embattled leader rallies supporters in show of force http://www.france24.com/en/20150518-macedonia-protest-rally-gruevski-wire-tap
Trud, 18.05.15: Macedonians must drive Gruevski out of office (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE163233-Macedonians-must-drive-Gruevski-out-of-office
EUObserver, 20.05.15: [Opinion]: EU options on the Macedonia crisis https://euobserver.com/opinion/128757
EurActiv, 21.05.15: Bulgaria rejects Russian claim that it wants to dismember Macedonia http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/bulgaria-rejects-russian-claim-it-wants-dismember-macedonia-314755

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