БЛАЦК МОНДАЅ

БЛАЦК МОНДАЅ
24 тх Децембер 2012
БЛАЦК МОНДАЅ
24 тх Децембер 2012
БЛАЦК МОНДАЅ
24 тх Децембер 2012
December
001
BLACK MONDAY
Publisher:
Foundation Open Society – Macedonia
For the publisher:
Vladimir Milcin
Editor:
Violeta Gligoroska
Photos:
Vanco Dzambaski
Proof reading and translation in to English:
Abacus
Design & Layout:
Koma
Print:
Skenpoint
Circulation:
500
Free/noncommercial circulation
CIP - Каталогизација во публикација
Национална и универзитетска библиотека
"Св. Климент Охридски", Скопје
32.019.5:321.7(497.7)"2012/13"
BLACK monday / [editor Violeta Gligoroska ; photos Vanco
Dzambaski]. - Skopje : Foundation Open Society - Macedonia,
2013. - 250 стр. : илустр. ; 23 см
Фусноти кон текстот
ISBN 978-608-218-166-0
а) Јавно мислење - Демократија - Македонија - 2012-2013
COBISS.MK-ID 93294602
002
Contents
Vladimir Milcin
AGAINST FORGETFULNESS: BLACK
MONDAY AND DAYS AFTER..............................4
Mirjana Najcevska
Stomping on the Constitution,
laws and Members of Parliament......................... 8
Ida Protuger
2013 State Budget Adoption and
Related Events......................................... 34
Zarko Trajanovski
Chronology of Events.................................. 46
Sead Rizvanovik
News editor at TV 24Vesti
How 24Vesti experienced the news – The
extraordinary events from the perspective
of the current affairs television 24Vesti............ 134
Katerina Canevska - Arsovska
Parliament’s Gallery: PUBLIC or PURGATORY............ 146
Ubavka Janevska
Roadblocks........................................... 148
Civil society REACTION............................... 154
COLUMNS............................................... 168
INTERVIEWS........................................... 176
CULTURE............................................... 202
INTERVIEWS........................................... 224
003
Vladimir Milcin
AGAINST FORGETFULNESS:
BLACK MONDAY AND DAYS
AFTER
“[Now], the essence of a nation is that the people have many things in
common; but have also forgotten much together. […] Every French citizen must
have forgotten the St. Bartholomew’s Night massacre or the massacres that
took place in the Midi in the 13th century.”- Ernst Renan, “What is a Nation?”,
1882.
These days, at the debate organized around Bulgarian-Macedonian
relations and held in CEM’s club, the Bulgarian intellectual Javor Siderov
paraphrased Renan in the following manner: “History of a nation is
comprised of what it remembers, but also of what it forgets”. Of course,
these words were uttered in the context of problems in MacedonianBulgarian relations, but I could not help think about the 24th December,
the Black Monday, the Macedonian St. Bartholomew’s Night: Are Gruevski
and his fellow party members and propagandists truly expecting all
members of the Macedonian nation exposed to re-composition to forget
the events of 24th December in the legislative house of the Republic of
Macedonia?
Before our eyes, shorthand notes are being deleted in order to delete
traces of the Black Monday, when journalists and MPs were expelled from
the Parliament we until recently referred to as “people’s parliament”.
Before our eyes, video materials from parliament cameras are cut and
edited to facilitate the nation’s forgetfulness, which must happen
tomorrow or the day after, if not immediately. Operation “forgetfulness”
started with the eviction of journalists from the parliament gallery.
Witnesses and cameras were removed with the support of MPs from the
ruling majority. Some of them loudly approved, while others were silent.
Later, when the job was done, Gruevski’s coalition partner, Ali Ahmeti,
made a public announcement that nobody should have battered the
journalists!? And Gruevski expressed his feeling of uneasiness!? Both
Gruveski and President Ivanov did not express any uneasiness or regret
for the forceful eviction of opposition MPs, accompanied with applause
004
from parliamentary seats reserved for VMRO-DPMNE. Did they think
that the horror will remain hidden inside the parliament walls and did
not expect shocking images to see the light of day? I do not know what
is more terrible: the violence or approval of violence by MPs from the
ruling majority; exultation and epicaricacy in welcoming the triumph of
aberration which – with fists – introduced one-mindedness in what was
to be a pluralist parliament. Pinnacle of shame was the serenity of the
silent witness- the Ombudsman – whose second term of office was voted
by the Parliament, once “relieved” of undisciplined MPs.
On the Black Monday, authorities have in fact staged a coup d’état by
stomping on and annihilating mandates of MPs elected by 370,000
citizens and by expelling them to the streets. Immediately afterwards,
once the expelled MPs announced they would not return to parliament
benches, they were accused of pursuing “street democracy”. Citizens,
who in front of the parliament building protested against the legalization
of the budget damp, were accused of attempting a “coup d’état”. While
outside the parliament building the so-called national coup d’état was
taking place vis-à-vis fully armed policeman and under the watchful eye
of other policeman located on nearby buildings’ rooftops, the actual coup
d’état, i.e., the party-police coup, was staged in front of the headquarters
of the biggest opposition party located on Bihacka Street. It happened
almost simultaneously and was perfectly timed with the forceful eviction
of women and men MPs under the command of the Vice President and
Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Interior!
As an earthquake, the Black Monday shook and splinted Macedonia. It
abrogated every apparition of normalcy. For six weeks now, continuous
protests are taking place in the streets which the Prime Minister attempted
to ignore and undermine at first, but soon started to demonize. At the
“cleaned” Parliament, following the orders from Gruevski’s Government,
the ruling majority adopts laws in full throttle. Brussels and Washington
request restoration of institutional political dialogue, in order to make
a step forward in the name talks. To soften the opposition, they are
005
waking up the dozing President of State and suggest
him to establish a commission on determining the
truth about the Black Monday. The opposition does
not relinquish its demand for early parliamentary
elections, threatens to boycott the local elections
and withdraws the unconditional support to finding
a compromise solution to the name dispute. Tectonic
shifts are so strong that even the silenced intellectual
elite feels compelled to speak up. Nikola Gruevski’s
strategies to “discipline” and “normalize” are
failing and, faced with an opposition that no longer
resembles the one before 24th December, he resorts
to accusing Crvenkovski of working in the interest of
Greece.
Well-lubricated with budget money, propaganda
machinery of media outlets controlled by the Prime
Minister is working under full speed, day and night,
producing conspiracies and enemies. But, Macedonia
is waking up from the seven-year intoxication with
the “rebirth”; the fear is melting down; yesterday’s
whisper is turning into loudness. Today, the citizens
refuse - in the name of national unity as understood
by Gruevski - to forget who and how governs them
and demand responsibility for abuse of power.
The book before you is a contribution towards
awakening of Macedonia, where the Black Monday
must not be repeated, where the Constitution must
not be stomped on unsanctioned, where the law must
not be ignored, where democracy must not be pushed
on muscles, where the institutions must not be
devalued and humiliated, only to be later “defended”
by police and propaganda. The fight for democratic
Macedonia is a fight for stabile Macedonia!
006
007
Mirjana Najcevska
Stomping on the Constitution,
laws and Members of Parliament
1. Legal framework
Role of the Parliament/MPs of the Republic of Macedonia, as the
highest body in the organization of state governance, is stipulated in
the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. Procedures governing
the manner of operation of the Parliament/MPs, its relations with other
governance bodies and with the citizens are regulated by the Law on the
Parliament, Law on the Members of Parliament and Parliament’s Rules of
Procedure.
Procedure on state budget adoption is regulated by the Constitution,
Law on the Parliament, Law on the Members of Parliament, Parliament’s
Rules of Procedure and Law on Budgets.
2. Background (broader context)
On 24.12.2012, the Constitution and the laws in Macedonia were
breached, the fundamental rights and citizens’ sovereignty were violated,
the democratic institutions were invalidated, the rule of law was revoked
and the political system on parliamentary democracy was attacked. This
was done by the act of violence exerted on opposition MPs, their eviction
from the plenary hall in the Parliament during the 2013 state budget
adoption, as well as the absence of any discussion on the resulting
situation during the following sessions organized at the Parliament, as it
continues to operate in the absence of opposition MPs.
2.1. General parameters of parliamentary democracy
008
In order to provide a comprehensive image on the legal implications of
above-referred violations, they must first be reconsidered in terms of
their importance within the framework of democracy, rule of law and
human rights and their role in civilized states of the 21st century.
Democracy, rule of law and protection of fundamental human rights and
freedoms are the three key components that underline any civilized state
of the 21st century. They are intertwined, interrelated and complement
each other, but must be visible and effectively present for a country to be
qualified as civilized state.
There will be no democracy in the absence of rules, procedures and
criteria (that are part and parcel of the legal system) and in the absence
of conditions conductive to exercise of fundamental rights (all rights and
by all citizens). There will be no rule of law in the absence of democratic
atmosphere and democratic procedures on legislation adoption, as
they are the sublimate of justice, and not injustice, and without having
fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the legal protection
system. There will be no promotion and protection of human rights and
freedoms in the absence of relevant mechanisms in a democratic state
governed by the rule of law.
Moreover, procedures, rules and criteria are of great importance for the
democracy and the rule of law, as well as promotion and protection of
human rights. Form is an essential part that guarantees their contents.
Procedures on legislation adoption or decision-making in the Parliament
represent a sublimate of all democratic procedures and are an indicator
of the democratic development level in the state.
2.2. Constitutional guarantees and protection of
democracy
Form cannot be contrary to the contents (essence) of the matter being
regulated by means of a legal framework. It is of crucial importance for
the form not to be in conflict with the democratic system’s spirit and the
fundamental values enshrined in the Constitution.
009
This means that all laws and other documents must be in compliance
with the Constitution; they must originate from the Constitution; and
they must reflect the Constitution’s spirit (which can be amended only by
means of special procedure and two-third majority votes from all MPs).
One of the pillars of democracy is citizens’ right to make decisions
through their representatives elected on free elections. Work of these
representatives implies implementation of citizens’ sovereignty and
therefore they enjoy special protection under the Constitution.
Protection of MPs is of great importance. Members of Parliament cannot
have their mandate revoked, which actually ensures that nobody
can influence their work, decision-making and views expressed in
the Parliament. Members of Parliament cannot be called to assume
responsibility for opinions expressed in the Parliament. Their protection
goes as high as the institution of a specific procedure for cases where
a MP has been suspected of having committed criminal act of serious
scope (which is liable to imprisonment sentence in duration of more
than 5 years). In order to protect MPs’ independence, the Constitution
stipulates that they shall be entitled to salary reimbursed and that their
office shall not be compatible with any other profession or performance
of any other function, including a public function.
Such regulations governing the office of Member of Parliament are
deemed necessary in order to enable them to represent citizens, supervise
and control the executive branch of government and be able to enact
the highest legislative acts in the state. Any threat to MPs’ rights and
responsibilities could seriously endanger the parliamentary democracy
in the state, i.e., implies destruction of the political system in the state.
This, most probably, was the idea upheld by the constitution’s creator, as
the Constitution does not anticipate separate law/laws that would further
regulate (on legislative level) operation of the Parliament, MPs’ rights
and responsibilities and relevant procedures, but has rather anticipated
adoption of Rules of Procedure (as officially translated into English and
available on the Parliament’s website1) in the form of internal/technical
act that governs rules of proceeding at the Parliament.
010
1 This terminology is used according to the directions provided in the Manual for Translation
of Legal Acts in the Republic of Macedonia, available at: http://www.sep.gov.mk/content/
userfiles/file/Priracnik%20za%20preveduvanje%20na%20pravnite%20akti%20na%20
RM%20final.pdf
This means that further regulations that specify operation of the
Parliament and MPs’ rights and responsibilities must maintain a purely
technical precision of provisions contained in the Constitution, and they
cannot pursue essential clarification or any other form of interpretation
of these provisions for the purpose of changing their meaning. All these
documents must comply with the highest requirement stipulated in the
Constitution, i.e., MPs must be in position to act in a manner in which they
represent needs and interests of citizens who had elected them, represent
rights and interests of citizens who had entrusted them with MP mandate
and resist any influence from other branches of government (judicial and
executive authorities). On this account, Law on the Parliament and Law
on the Members of Parliament (whose adoption is not referenced to in
the Constitution, except for Article 64 of the Constitution which stipulates
that Members of Parliament shall be entitled to salary reimbursement in
an amount stipulated by law and which could imply the need/possibility
for adoption of separate law) must be enacted by means of two-third
majority votes, while the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure and Rulebook
on Internal Order must be adopted in a procedure and with contents that
fulfil these requirements. If these requirements are not observed, one
might by default consider these acts as unconstitutional. This can also
be concluded on the basis of the constitutional provision that stipulates,
for example, two-third majority votes for adoption of the Law on Courts
(Article 98 of the Constitution), as well as for adoption of the law that
governs state administration’s organization and operation (Article 95 of
the Constitution). Namely, it is illogical for this type of majority voting
to be required for laws governing the state administration and judiciary
system, but not to be anticipated for adoption of laws and acts governing
the operation of the highest legislative authority in the state.
2.3. Problems with legislating
Key laws and regulations that govern operation of the Parliament and MPs’
rights and responsibilities were adopted in the opposition’s absence
(they include: Electoral Code, Law on Political Party Financing, Law on
the Members of Parliament, Parliament’s Rules of Procedure).2 In that,
2 http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=119122126448&id=9&setIzda
011
Key laws and
regulations
that govern
operation of the
Parliament and
MPs’ rights and
responsibilities
were adopted in
the opposition’s
absence (they
include:
Electoral
Code, Law on
Political Party
Financing, Law
on the Members
of Parliament,
Parliament’s
Rules of
Procedure)
these laws/regulations governing MPs’ rights and responsibilities, which
in certain cases also imply cancellation/limitation of their mandate and
which are contrary to Article 65 of the Constitution3 (irrespective of the
fact whether that is done in form or fact, such as the possibility for MPs
to be evicted from the plenary hall or for reducing salary reimbursements
they are entitled to)4 were enacted in the absence of opposition MPs
and therefore they must be declared unconstitutional and must be
immediately subjected to revision.
In Macedonia, the situation was worsened. Namely, Parliament’s Rules
of Procedure were enacted in an emergency procedure, which can be
applied only in cases when such procedure is deemed necessary for the
purpose of preventing or eliminating greater disturbance in the country’s
economy or when such procedure is required by the mere nature of safety
and defence interests of the Republic of Macedonia, or in cases of major
natural disasters, epidemic outbreaks or other emergencies.
Furthermore, in 2011 the Law on the Members of Parliament was subject
to amendments adopted in fast-track procedure.5 By definition, fast-track
procedure is applied for adopting laws of lesser importance. Contrary to
this established practice, these amendments were proposed by 46 MPs,
which is a sufficient reason to believe that the legislative changes were of
special importance and interest for all MPs. Second, these amendments
stipulated that “changes proposed concern establishment of definition
on financial parameters”, which directly affects MPs’ performance of
nie=22726; http://vesti.alfa.mk/default.aspx?eventid=10292&mid=363
3 Article 65 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia: “Members of Parliament may
resign from their office. Members of Parliament shall submit their resignation in person, on
the session in the Parliament.
Members of Parliament shall have their mandate terminated when he/she has been sentenced for a criminal offence liable to imprisonment sentence in duration of at least five
years. Members of Parliament may have their mandate revoked when he/she has been sentenced for criminal offence or any other punitive act which renders him/her unfit to perform
the representative office, as well as for unjustified absence from the Parliament for a period
of more than six months. Members of Parliament shall have their mandate revoked by means
of a decision taken by the Parliament with a two-third majority votes from the total number of
MPs.
4 Article 26 of the Law on the Members of Parliament
5 http://www.sobranie.mk/ext/materialdetails.aspx?Id=bc01d869-659f-4aa0-ac9e-65aece0b78ee
012
their mandate. Third, rationale attached to the Draft Amendments to
the Law on the Members of Parliament argues that anticipated changes
are intended to transpose the Council of Europe’s Resolution 1601
(2008) on Procedural guidelines for the rights and responsibilities of
the opposition in a democratic parliament. Claims were made that
amendments to the Law on the Members of Parliament had been drafted
in compliance with the above-referred Resolution, but the changes
enacted included a provision that reads: “salary reimbursement for MPs
who do not participate in the work of the Parliament of the Republic of
Macedonia (who boycott the Parliament) after a public statement has
been issued by the parliamentary group to which he/she belongs that
the said group will not participate in the work of the Parliament (will
boycott the Parliament) shall be set in the amount of one third from
the MP’s salary reimbursement paid in the last month. The amount of
salary reimbursement referred to in paragraph 2 of this article shall also
apply to MPs who do not participate in the work of the Parliament of the
Republic of Macedonia (who boycott the Parliament) after having issued
a public statement that he/she will not participate in the work of the
Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia (will boycott the Parliament).
Application of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article shall be regulated by
the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, while the
individual decisions shall be taken by the Committee on Elections and
Appointments”.
In fact, such a decision suspends MPs’ mandate (who are not allowed to
benefit from other income sources) and makes them liable to influence
exerted by the Government (ruling majority), i.e., MPs are under direct
influence in regard to the manner in which they express their opinions.
Contrary to this situation, in the course of its development the democracy
has reached a higher level – special protection for opposition MPs. This
protection was instituted for the purpose of avoiding a situation where
the majority enjoys a dictate in the democracy, for the purpose of ensuring
permanent control over those who have won the governance and for the
purpose of guaranteeing the influence of points of view different from
those upheld by the ruling majority. Opposition’s role in democracy gains
a special importance in regard to state budget adoption, but the situation
013
in Macedonia demonstrates that there are legal limitations in place and
that there is continued practice on minorizing/undermining opposition
MPs’ influence on legal solutions pertaining to the state budget.6
According to the Council of Europe’s Resolution 1601(2008) on Procedural
rules on the rights and responsibilities of the opposition in a democratic
parliament“ 7:
1. MPs must exercise their mandate independently. They shall not be bound
by any instruction or receive a binding mandate. One cannot blame a
Member of Parliament for defending ideas that go against the government’s
official policy or that are not well received by a majority of the population.
2. Opposition MPs shall enjoy freedom of speech; they must be able to
express their ideas freely.
3. Opposition MPs shall be privileged during question time with the
government (in particular, they shall have the right to open question
time and to ask more question to the government than members of the
majority).
4. Opposition MPs shall have the right, at regular intervals, to set the agenda
of plenary sittings, and to choose subjects for debate, including bills tabled
by the opposition members, control of government action and evaluation
of public policies and spending; matters selected on those days shall have
precedence over government business.
5. Opposition MPs shall have the right to speak and to vote in all debates.
6. Opposition MPs shall have the right to table amendments.
7. Opposition MPs shall have the right to request examination of
constitutionality of draft laws or parliamentary acts by the Constitutional
Court or the appropriate legal body prior to their adoption.
8. Opposition MPs shall have the right apply to the Court of Audits and to
request its opinion on budgetary and finance matters.
Furthermore, the Resolution 1154 (1998) on democratic functioning of
national parliaments states that: “guidelines need to be developed
to enable elected representatives to enjoy a degree of independence,
014
6 For more information on Parliament’s oversight function see Korunovska Avramovska, N.
(2012), Parliamentary Control over the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, Foundation
Open Society – Macedonia (pg. 31-39)
7 http://assembly.coe.int/main.asp?Link=/documents/adoptedtext/ta08/eres1601.htm
thereby preventing representative democracies from lapsing into party
autocracy”.
All these show that the overall context and developments that preceded
events from 24.12.2012 amount to accumulated misinterpretation of the
democracy, violation of the legal order and adoption of laws that are
contrary to the Constitution and whose enforcement undermines MPs’
status as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia.
In conditions of multiple violations to procedures on law adoption, when
procedures are being adjusted to daily needs of the ruling structures and
when even the adjusted procedures are being violated, the question is
raised on the right to use other means for expressing an opinion different
form the usual means (deliberation and voting). In such conditions,
demonstrations, boycott and non-violent means for preventing a plenary
session to take place are considered quite legitimate, because MPs
believed that the plenary session constituted a serious violation to the
law and the Constitution, i.e., they were prevented to advocate for and
represent needs and interests of citizens who had elected them to office.
On the other hand, Igor Ivanovski, coordinator of SDSM’s parliamentary
group, pointed out the rights of opposition MPs to attend the session: „On
24.2.2012, we – as MPs from the opposition – were prevented to be part
of the plenary session in the capacity of parliamentarians, in compliance
with the Rules of Procedure. Usually, one hour prior to the plenary session,
employees of the parliament services bring out attendance and voting
cards. Around 10:00 hours in the morning on 24.12.2012, the employee
from the attendance recording service came in, but was immediately
called and sent away by the security. We did not create any problem with
her, nor was she prevented to do her job. We did not have any contact
with her. We were sitting in the lounge chairs outside the plenary hall.
Parliament’s President, Trajko Veljanovski, was duly informed about the
fact that our attendance was not recorded and that we did not receive our
voting cards. On the contrary, MPs from the ruling majority arrived after
11:15 hours, with the voting cards in their hands, and it was organized for
them to enter the hall”.
In such
conditions,
demonstrations,
boycott and nonviolent means
for preventing a
plenary session
to take place are
considered quite
legitimate,
because MPs
believed that the
plenary session
constituted
a serious
violation to
the law and the
Constitution,
i.e., they were
prevented to
advocate for and
represent needs
and interests of
citizens who had
elected them to
office.
015
016
017
3. Specific violations to the Constitution
and the laws
Specific violations to laws made by events from 24.12.2012 include:
ƒƒ eviction of opposition MPs from the plenary hall in the Parliament
of the Republic of Macedonia;
ƒƒ use of force over opposition MPs;
ƒƒ disrespect for the procedure on budget adoption (discontinued
deliberations at the competent working body, i.e., Committee on
Finance and Budget, absence of any discussion on amendments
proposed by the opposition, acceptance of changes by the Government in the absence of previous deliberation and preparation
of report on completed budget hearings, which was actually done
before deliberations were exhausted);
ƒƒ adoption of the state budget in its amended form, without organizing additional debate during the plenary session in the Parliament;
ƒƒ failure to upload on the Parliament’s website the shorthand notes
from the plenary session on which the state budget was adopted;
and
ƒƒ summoning and organizing new sessions in the Parliament, without previous organization of discussions on the newly-emerged
situation.
3.1. Violation of procedures and rules concerning
Members of Parliament as representatives of the
citizens
Starting position:
018
ƒƒ The Parliament is a congregation of parliamentarians elected by the
citizens;
ƒƒ MPs are not employees in the Parliament; they are officials elected by
citizens of the Republic of Macedonia;
ƒƒ MPs embody citizens’ sovereignty that has been transferred upon
them for the purpose of decision-making on behalf and in the interest
of citizens;
ƒƒ MPs enjoy immunity and special benefits that allow them to uninterruptedly perform the mandate they have been entrusted with ;
Misconceptions about MPs’ status in the parliamentary democracy were
of key importance for the legal context that provided the background for
events from 24.12.2012, but also for all following activities that have taken
place and that have undermined the foundation of the parliamentary
democracy.
A) Forceful eviction of MPs from the Parliament’s premises constitutes a
violation to 12 articles from the Constitution:
1. Article 62 of the Constitution stipulates that: “MPs cannot have their
mandate revoked”. This provision guarantees that nobody can change
citizens’ decision expressed on the elections and that citizens can be
ensured that their interests and needs will be represented by the MPs
they have voted for. Evicting opposition MPs from the plenary hall and
preventing them to participate in the debates and to express their
opinions on the draft budget represent factual revocation of their
mandate.
2. Article 64 of the Constitution stipulates that: “MPs shall enjoy
immunity”. MPs cannot be called to assume criminal responsibility or
be detained due to their publicly expressed views or votes casted in
the Parliament. MPs are entitled to salary reimbursement in an amount
determined by law. MPs’ immunity is actually the highest protection
awarded to the office of Member of Parliament. Expelling them from
the Parliament resulted in limitation of MPs’ right to express their
opinion, while the adoption of a law that implies financial sanctions
for MPs in the form of salary cuts creates a tool for controlling MPs in
regard to their right to free expression.
3. Article 65 of the Constitution stipulates that: “MPs shall have their
mandate terminated when he/she has been sentenced for a criminal
office liable to imprisonment sentence in duration of at least five
years”. This implies a previously conducted court procedure and
issuance of imprisonment sentence that should be served. Expelling
them from the Parliament resulted in MPs being prevented to perform
their mandate, which means that their mandate was revoked without
an enforceable court decision.
019
4. Article 67 of the Constitution stipulates that: “The office of the President
of the Parliament shall be incompatible with the performance of other
public offices, professions or political party functions”. Given the fact
that the Parliament’s President, Trajko Veljanovski, openly defended
one political party and unambiguously protected the interests of that
political party, the question is raised whether such behaviour implies
factual performance of political party function.
5. Article 70 of the Constitution stipulates that: “Sessions of the
Parliament shall be open to the public”. Publicity is of great importance
for the functioning of a parliamentary democracy, as it represents an
open possibility for citizens and the public to control their elected
representatives. Publicity does not refer only to the media, but to all
entities/persons that have requested to attend the plenary session
(in particular, the scientific and expert public). The legal provision that
requires two-third majority votes for adopting a decision on eliminating
the public from the plenary session clearly confirms the importance
of this institute and provides narrow definition of situations when the
public can be removed from the plenary session. The Parliament did
not take such decision. Therefore, citizens’ control over their elected
representatives was endangered, as well as the possibility for MPs to
demonstrate in front of their constituency that they are adequately
performing the mandate they have been entrusted with.
6. Article 91 of the Constitution stipulates that: “The Government shall
propose laws, the state budget and other regulations to be adopted
by the Parliament”. The fact that the Government decided what
should and what should not be integrated in the state budget (without
organizing public hearings and providing additional rationale) and
the fact that relevant procedures on budget deliberation at relevant
parliamentary committees were discontinued (and thus prevented
any discussion on budget amendments proposed by the opposition
and also prevented any discussion on the draft budget), as well as the
fact that opposition MPs were evicted from the Parliament, resulted
in a situation where the Government became the entity that adopted
the budget, while MPs were transformed into a voting machine that
unconditionally accepts the budget version proposed for adoption.
7. Article 2 of the Constitution stipulates that: “Sovereignty in the Republic
of Macedonia derives from the citizens and belongs to the citizens.”
020
Citizens of the Republic of Macedonia exercise their authority through
their democratically elected representatives, by means of referendum
or by other forms that imply direct expression of their will. Evicting
opposition MPs from the Parliament resulted in disturbed sovereignty
of the citizens and they are prevented to exercise their authority due
to the fact that their elected representatives had been removed from
the Parliament.
8. Article 8 of the Constitution stipulates that: “Division of state powers
into legislative, executive and judicial branch of government shall be
a fundamental value of the constitutional order”. This power-sharing
principle had been violated with the absence of deliberations on
the document proposed by the executive authorities for adoption by
the legislative authorities. Power imbalance is seen in the fact that
the Government exercises its constitutionally-defined competences
(to draft and propose the state budget), but MPs do not exercise
their constitutional competences on discussing the draft budget,
influencing its contents and voting for the budget version they
consider is in the best interests of citizens they represent.
9. Article 25 of the Constitution stipulates that: “All citizens shall be
guaranteed the respect and protection of the privacy of their private
and family life, their dignity and reputation”. Evicting MPs from the
Parliament in the most humiliating manner resulted in the violation of
their right to protection of dignity and reputation.
10.Article 66 of the Constitution stipulates that: “The Parliament shall
be in permanent session”. Evicting MPs from the Parliament resulted
in them being prevented to take part in the Parliament’s permanent
session.
B) The establishment of the principle on reducing salary reimbursements
for MPs in cases of boycott implies that MPs had been made liable to
provisions from the Law on Labour Relations (just as any other employee
in the Parliament). Obviously, this was the intention behind the changes
made to the Law on the Members of Parliament, and is clearly seen in the
explanation offered by Trajko Veljanovski (in the capacity of Parliament’s
President)8: “Of course, nobody denies the right to express a political
view and the different manner for expressing that view, because this is
8 Shorthand notes from the 147th session of the Parliament held on 6.4.2011.
021
an unchallenged right enjoyed by all MPs. However, one must understand
that when it comes to MPs’ responsibilities, they are not and should
not be dramatically different from any other citizen in the state who
works on daily basis and must perform his/her working duties.” What
the Parliament’s President does not understand is the fact that MPs are
unlimited in expressing their political views (which is a constitutionallyguaranteed right enjoyed by all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia) and
that MPs are dramatically different from ordinary citizens by the mere fact
that they embody citizens’ sovereignty and that they do not go to work
in the Parliament, i.e., they are not employed in the Parliament, but they
actually constitute the Parliament. By using the words: “What would the
unemployed citizens say, as they struggle to find jobs, earn salary and
find their place, their rights and responsibilities in our society?”, Trajko
Veljanovski clearly shows that he treats MPs as if they are employees in
a privately-owned company where they would be obliged to earn their
salary and not as citizens’ representatives who have been entrusted with
the highest powers in the state – legislative authority. In his opinion,
MPs should be treated as any other employees, i.e., he considers
the office of MP to be merely an employment. Jani Makraduli, Vice
President of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, reacted to this
treatment of MPs in the following manner: “We [the MPs] are employed
by the people who vote on the elections, and therefore any attempt to
present the Parliament’s President as the employer of MPs amounts to
depreciative treatment of elected MPs and of citizens who are the source
of state’s sovereignty”. Such behaviour on the part of the Parliament is
the basis for all developments that followed and culminated in events
from 24.12.2012.
In legal terms, this absurd is incredibly great. Making the MPs subject of
provisions contained in the Law on Labour Relations raises the question
on the identity of their employer, whether they can be declared redundant
workers, whether they can organize themselves into trade union and
sign a collective agreement for protection of their labour rights, including
their right to go on strike. Having in mind that in this case the employer is
not defined and that there are no law-stipulated protection mechanisms
in place that imply certain obligations for the employer (possibility
to establish a trade union, right to go on strike, collective agreement,
mobbing, etc.), which only further increase the legal absurd, any action
022
of this type is direct attack on the Parliament and its competences, as
well as an attack on the essence of parliamentary democracy. Specific
rights to vacation, parental leave, working hours and the like, which are
all based on the Law on Labour Relations, cannot render MPs as subject
of provisions from the labour legislation, but represent specific solutions
from the labour legislation applied in order to protect the parliamentarian
office and protect MPs against discrimination. Absence of employment
contract and other protection mechanisms implied by such contract is
replaced with higher instance of protection stipulated in the Constitution.
C) Parliament’s Rules of Procedure are flawed, in particular due to the
procedure applied for their adoption and the provisions contained therein
(as they exceed the technical solutions required for unhindered operation
of the Parliament), which should enable enforcement of constitutional
provisions. However, the Rules of Procedure were violated even in their
current form by the fact that opposition MPs had their mandate factually
revoked and by being prevented to perform their mandate (to discuss the
draft budget, submit amendments thereto, express their views on the
draft budget and exert influence on budget’s structure).
Article 8 of the Law on the Members of Parliament stipulates that:
“Mandate of Member of Parliament shall be terminated prior to the
expiration of his/her term of office for which he/she was elected when: 1)
MP has resigned from the office; 2) MP has been sentenced for a criminal
offence liable to imprisonment sentence in duration of at least five years;
3) MP has been found to simultaneously perform an office or profession
incompatible with his/her status of MP; 4) MP’s citizenship has been
terminated/expired; 5) MP has been declared legally incompetent by
means of an enforceable decision; and 6) in case of MP’s death.
Article 16 of the same law stipulates that: “Members of Parliament shall
not be called to assume criminal or other responsibility and cannot be
detained for their publicly expressed views or votes casted during the
sessions in the Parliament or other parliamentary working bodies”. This
law does not clarify the meaning of “other responsibility” and one can
only assume that this formulation concerns a set of specific offences
regulated under different laws which are of lesser scope and severity
compared to criminal responsibility. If so, then what is the ground on
MPs were not
absent from
their jobs in
the Parliament
due to private
reasons or
negligence, but
they boycotted
Parliament’s
work in order
to direct
the public’s
attention to
unlawful actions
that are taken in
the Parliament
and to distance
themselves as
accomplices in
perpetration
of unlawful
activities.
023
This means
that any legal
provision by means
of which MPs are
considered equal
to other citizens
when acting
in procedures
stipulated for
different services
in the Parliament
is contrary to the
Constitution.
which MPs are called to assume responsibility for having expressed their
opinion (which is not necessarily expressed in words, but can also be
expressed in actions)? Starting from the fact that the Constitution does
not prohibit boycott as means for MPs to express their opinion, there is no
reasonable ground for MPs to be sanctioned for their boycott, which was
used as means for expressing their opinion, view or opposing an illegal
action (such as disrespect for procedures on legislation adoption). MPs
were not absent from their jobs in the Parliament due to private reasons
or negligence, but they boycotted Parliament’s work in order to direct the
public’s attention to unlawful actions that are taken in the Parliament
and to distance themselves as accomplices in perpetration of unlawful
activities.
D) When defining procedures, the main objective is to enable MPs to
perform the office for which they have been elected by the citizens.
This means that any legal provision by means of which MPs are
considered equal to other citizens when acting in procedures stipulated
for different services in the Parliament is contrary to the Constitution.
For example, Article 236 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure stipulates
that: “Without previous approval issued by the Parliament’s President,
authorized officers in the state administration bodies cannot access
the premises9 referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, and they cannot
take any measures against MPs, employees in the services and against
other citizens” and is contrary to the Constitution because - in terms of
actions taken by the services - it renders MPs as equal to employees in
the Parliament and to all other citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.
Same is true for Article 43 of the Law on the Parliament of the Republic
of Macedonia, according to which: “Without previous approval issued by
the Parliament’s President, authorized officers in the state administration
bodies cannot access the premises referred to in paragraph 1 of this
article and cannot take any measures against MPs, employees in the
services and against other citizens”. In other words (pursuant to the same
article): “Upon previous consultations with the Vice Presidents and the
coordinators of the parliamentary groups, the President of the Parliament
shall take decisions and adopt measures on determining responsibility
9 Reference is made to all premises made available for work and meeting of MPs, in compliance with Article 35 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure and the Rulebook on Internal
Order in the Parliament adopted by the Parliament’s President.
024
025
for disturbing the order in the Parliament by MPs or by external persons
who participate in the work of the Parliament”. “Although I was aware of
the presence of authorized officers from the state administration bodies,
I never imagined that in circumstances when the plenary session has not
started, they would enter the hall and start evicting us. Allow me to clarify
one matter, because later in time television outlets broadcasted footage
from a plenary session when the former President of the Parliament,
Stojan Andov, evicted a Member of Parliament. When the plenary session
is broadcasted live, the Parliament’s President is entitled, pursuant
to the act, to reprimand and later evict a Member of Parliament who is
disturbing the order in the session. However, there was no live broadcast
on 24.12.2012; we did not have our attendance cards, and the plenary
session has not started yet. The Parliament’s President did not even
attempt to consult us,” emphasized the coordinator of NSDP and LP’s
parliamentary group, Goran Misovski. Any attempt to equalize MPs
with the citizens in their actions that imply disturbing the order in the
Parliament is contrary to the provisions contained in the Constitution,
which stipulate that MPs enjoy immunity and special protection.
However, violent actions taken by Parliament’s security service to evict
opposition MPs from the hall were justified with these legal provisions.
E) Be that as it may, even in terms of these procedural solutions, the
Parliament’s President has made obvious shortfalls and has taken
activities that directly affect the rights enjoy ed by MPs and thus brought
under question the legitimacy of Parliament’s operation.
ƒƒ Article 62 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure stipulates that: “The
President of the Parliament, together with the Vice Presidents, shall
ensure that MPs and security officers enjoy their rights and shall secure conditions needed for their work”. This means that any violation
to MPs’ rights is a responsibility of the President and the Vice Presidents of the Parliament.
ƒƒ According to the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, tools that are made
available to the Parliament’s President in order to maintain the order
on plenary sessions are limited in scope (issuing a warning and interrupting MP’s speech) and they do not affect the essence underlying
the performance of their parliamentarian mandate.10 Procedural solu10 Article 91 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure
026
tions governing the maintenance of order in the Parliament’s premises follow the same reasoning.11 The Parliament’s President is the
entity responsible to issue approval for the security service to take
any kind of measures against MPs. Thus, in compliance with the spirit
of the Constitution and the provisions governing MPs’ immunity, the
Parliament’s President must protect MPs and approve security services’ actions against MPs only as exception and in cases when MPs
have committed criminal offences liable to imprisonment sentence in
duration of more than five years.
ƒƒ Article 93 of the Rules of Procedure stipulates that: “If the Parliament’s President is unable to maintain the order at the session, he/
she shall call for a short break of the session in process”. The Parliament’s Rules of Procedure do not contain a provision that refers to violent eviction of MPs from the hall where the plenary session is held.
Such limited possibility for actions on the part of the Parliament’s
President is based on the fact that he/she is the first among equals
(primus inter pares) and that any imposition on his behalf over other
MPs would imply usurpation of power and negation of the democratically
elected Parliament.
3.2. Violations to the procedure on budget adoption
Violation of procedures has been determined throughout the process for
adopting 2013 state budget.
A) Violation was made to Article 79 of the Rules of Procedure which
stipulates that: :“The Parliament cannot debate matters for which the
competent parliamentary working body and the legislative committee
have not taken a position, unless otherwise regulated under the present
Rules of Procedure”.
B) Contrary to Article 128 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, which
stipulates that “The working body shall take position on all matters it has
reconsidered and deliberated and shall report them to the Parliament.
The report shall include the working body’s position accompanied with a
rationale. The report shall contain the opinions and positions expressed
11 Article 236 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure
027
and emphasized by individual committee members, as well as proposals
motioned in regard to the matter being discussed at the working body’s
meeting”, the relevant reports submitted to the Parliament by the
Committee on Finance and Budget (in the capacity of working body
competent for these matters) and by the Legislative Committee, do not
include the above-referred elements and also lack the usual sentence:
“With 8 votes casted in favour and 4 votes casted against, pursuant to
Article 180 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of the Republic
of Macedonia, the committee had decided that it is necessary for the
Government to develop an amended draft budget for the year 2012,
which would represent a new integral text that will incorporate the
amendments adopted by the committee”12 or: “on the basis of the
above-mentioned, pursuant to Article 155, paragraph 1 of the Rules of
Procedure of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia, the conditions
required for developing an amended Draft Law on 2012 Budget Execution
of the Republic of Macedonia have not been fulfilled”.13 Instead, both
reports (submitted by the Legislative Committee and by the Committee
on Finance and Budget) do not include any conclusion whatsoever. They
simply enlist the amendments rejected by the Government, and have
been endorsed by MPs, i.e., committee’s chair.
C) Procedure on 2013 state budget adoption failed to comply with Article
180 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, according to which the state
budget must be put on the Parliament’s agenda in the same manner
in which draft laws are forwarded for second reading (which implies a
mandatory hearing). The Government should work on developing an
amended draft budget only after relevant hearings have been conducted
at the competent working body in the Parliament and at the legislative
committee. The amended draft budget must then be accompanied with a
rationale and is considered new integral text.
D) This is also true for Article 142 of the Rules of Procedure, according
to which the competent working body in the Parliament and the
legislative committee must issue their opinions whether the draft law/
draft budget is deemed acceptable and whether it should be forwarded
for further reading. According to Article 149 of the Rules of Procedure,
12Committee on Finance and Budget’s Report no. 19-4564/, 3 December 2011, Skopje
13 Legislative Committee’s Report no. 19-4564/, 4 December 2011, Skopje
028
the competent working body and the legislative committee organize
separate debates on provisions contained in the draft law, discuss the
amendments proposed and cast their votes. Working bodies are entitled
to submit own amendments as well.14 The competent working body and
the legislative committee must discuss the draft law, even in cases when
the law is anticipated for adoption in emergency procedure. This has
been stressed in Article 79 of the Rules of Procedure, which stipulates
that: “The Parliament cannot debate issues for which the competent
working body and the legislative committee have not taken position,
unless otherwise regulated by the present Rules of Procedure”.15 Public
debate/hearing is part and part of any democratic process. That is also
true for the debate organized at the competent working body and the
legislative committee, debates at other working bodies in the Parliament
and, certainly, debate during the plenary session on which the budget
should be voted. Contrary to this, on the 49th plenary session (held on
24.12.2012) the Parliament did not only fail to discuss the state budget,
but it immediately went to vote on budget adoption. This was evident
from the fact that the plenary session’s agenda incorporated 27 items to
be discussed and voted along with the state budget. Moreover, contrary
14 Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia
15 Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia
029
Contrary
to Article
153 of the
Parliament’s
Rules of
Procedure which
stipulates
that: “all
amendments
shall be
subject to
discussion
and separate
voting”, the
competent
working
body and the
legislative
committee did
not organize
a debate on
the amendments
and thus
manipulated
the essence
of debating
and moved to
outvoting.
030
to Article 107 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, the shorthand notes
from this plenary session were not uploaded on the Parliament’s website.
Contrary to Article 153 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure which
stipulates that: “all amendments shall be subject to discussion and
separate voting”, the competent working body and the legislative committee
did not organize a debate on the amendments and thus manipulated the
essence of debating and moved to outvoting. To make matters worse, the
committee did not organize any formal voting, but moved to reading out
amendments rejected by the Government. In this manner, the Government
is placed above the Parliament (even in terms of formal procedure).
Committee on Finance and Budget’s report reads: “The written notification
on the position upheld by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia
and concerning all amendments proposed was read during the committee’s
meeting.” Same was indicated by the Legislative Committee. That means
that MPs waived the right to hear the proposed amendments, let alone
discuss them. This represents a direct derogation of the Parliament and
demolition of the state’s political system.
Formal reading of some amendments during the meetings of the
Committee on Finance and Budget and the Legislative Committee, without
any deliberation and followed by straightforward rejection of amendments
on the part of the governmental representative (of course, without any
explanation whatsoever), represents an open circumvention of the law.
E) Budget objectives and principles make this situation even worse as they
require the process to be transparent. This implies public’s access to all
stages in budget development and execution. It also means that in addition
to the key problem of non-deliberation, MPs’ obligation to discuss the draft
budget, which is part and parcel of a transparent budget adoption process,
was not complied with as well (thus, following the logic of the Parliament’s
President Trajko Veljanovski, this would mean that all MPs who did not
deliberate on the draft budget should be sanctioned by means of reduced
salary reimbursement due to the fact that they failed to performed their
obligations). Basic elements of the budget adoption process were skipped,
i.e., there were no hearings organized and no information was made
available to citizens’ elected representatives and to citizens themselves.
This implies the publication of semi-annual and annual report on budget
execution for the current financial year, although Article 53 of the Law on
Budgets stipulates this obligation for the Ministry of Finance. Be that as
it may, these documents are not published on the Ministry of Finance’s
website pursuant to the law provisions.16 This provides the conclusion that
the ruling authorities intended to circumvent the principle of transparency
by failing to publish pre-budgeting documents for the year 2013 and
thereby rendered the draft budget utterly non-transparent for citizens of
the Republic of Macedonia.
F) There are no provisions in the Constitution, laws or Parliament’s Rules
of Procedure that provide legal basis for changing procedures on budget
adoption due to irreconcilable opinions and positions, i.e., due to the fact
that the opposition has submitted large number of amendments to the
draft budget.
On the contrary, the Law on Budgets anticipates a possibility for the next
year’s state budget not to be adopted by 31st December in the current
year. This is a legitimate possibility that enables more time for budget
negotiations, agreements and compromises. Moreover, paragraph 3 of this
article from the Law on Budgets stipulates that if the state budget is not
adopted by 31st March in the current year, the Parliament of the Republic of
Macedonia shall adopt a decision on continuing the temporary financing
of state operations.
Given the above-referred legal provisions, the procedure on budget
adoption in the Macedonian Parliament was not only accelerated and
forced, but it also included a series of violations to procedure. Moreover,
for the purpose of gaining citizens’ support for these violations or creating
the impression of extortion, misinformation was disseminated in the
public and was aimed to incite tensions about the budget’s adoption. They
implied that the budget’s adoption is allegedly indispensable in order to
prevent the state’s financial demise, i.e., if the budget is not promptly
adopted, citizens’ regular exercise of their rights would be negatively
affected.
16 The Ministry of Finance’s website does not host the semi-annual and annual budget execution reports or the state budget’s final account for the 2009 state budget and all following
budget years.
http://www.finance.gov.mk/files/u12/ARC_MK_03_13.pdf
031
CONCLUSION:
The fact that the Government created an illegal situation that prevents
MPs to exercise their mandate, i.e., a situation where MPs are denied
their constitutionally-guaranteed right to express their opinion renders it
directly responsible for all activities pursued by the oppositions that are
beyond the common forms of opinion-expression.
MPs have the right and responsibility to protect the highest authority in
the state (the Parliament) and to prevent devaluation of its function.
Citizens have the right to be represented by MPs who would be able to
express their opinions and views and who would be prepared to defend
citizens’ needs and interests.
Existence of laws that negate the constitutionally-guaranteed parameters
of parliamentary democracy and that give legitimacy to illegal solutions
cannot be the reason for the absence of the right to protection from such
laws and the right to oppose their enforcement.
The rationale given as part of the European Court of Human Rights’
2009 ruling can be applied in this case (PETKOVSKI AND OTHERS vs. THE
REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA (application no. 27736/03)), in particular items
14 to 19.17 ECtHR’s underlying message for the authorities is that legal
amendments and legal solutions cannot be used to regulate matters
in order to prevent people from exercising their rights, i.e., in order to
prevent protection of guaranteed rights.
After the events from 24.12.2012 and violations to procedures and MPs’
rights, they have a number of protection mechanism at their disposal,
i.e., they can motion: (1) initiatives in front of the Constitutional Court
for the purpose of revoking legal deformations that give false legitimacy
to some activities; (2) initiative in front of the Constitutional Court for
the purpose of annulling laws adopted in a procedure that is contrary
to the Constitution; (3) initiative in front of the Constitutional Court for
the purpose of protecting MPs’ rights; (4) criminal charges against all
perpetrators of violent activities and order-issuers; (5) criminal charges
17 http://www.pravda.gov.mk/txt/presudi/mak/petkovski_drugi08012009.pdf
032
on high treason18 against the President of the Parliament, the Minister
of Interior and other line ministries who encouraged violence by means
of their actions. In the current situation, use of any of the aboveindicated legal mechanisms might raise problems given the fact that
the Constitutional Court, the Public Prosecution Office and competent
courts do not operate as independent authorities. In addition, MPs
who on 24.12.2012 were expelled from the plenary hall cannot rely on
the Ombudsman’s protection: “We will not submit a complaint to the
Ombudsman, because at the time when special police forces hijacked the
Parliament he was in the immediate vicinity of plenary hall, i.e., in the Hall
of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia”, said Igor Ivanovski,
coordinator of SDSM’s parliamentary group.
18
Article 305 of the Criminal Code
033
Ida Protuger
2013 State Budget
Adoption and Related
Events
even if the
procedure on
contesting the
budget results
in declaring it
legal (having
in mind utter
politicization
of institutions
and courts), it
would be recorded
in the history
as completely
illegitimate.
In that, VMRODPMNE and DUI
will bear the
responsibility
for illegitimate
public spending
and indebting the
citizens.
034
On 24.12.2012, Monday, for the first time in its history Macedonia got an
illegitimate budget. A country’s most important document - the budget was adopted in utterly disputable and controversial procedure, directed
by the ruling VMRO-DPMNE and supported by its coalition partner DUI.
Budget adoption was accompanied with destruction of democracy
and explicit practice of autocracy embodied in the brutal expulsion of
opposition MPs from the Parliament, because they obstructed budget’s
adoption.
Unlike the Portuguese President of State, Anibal Cavaco Silva, who
recently announced that he will have the 2013 state budget re-examined
by the Constitutional Court (President of State and Government in Portugal
are from the same political option) because changes in the fiscal policy
at the Parliament were assessed as controversial, in Macedonia nobody
expects the President of State, Gjorgje Ivanov, to act in the name of all
citizens, in the name of justice and truth, and nobody expects him to
reject budget endorsement until all dilemmas concerning the legality of
the entire budget adoption procedure are clarified. On the contrary, it
seems he could hardly wait to endorse the controversial document and
thus “verify” his loyalty to the party that brought him to office, as well
as to show that his assistance and support have contributed to fulfilling
the will of ruling VMRO-DPMNE, even though the democracy and state
institutions were destroyed in the process.
Therefore, even if the procedure on contesting the budget results in
declaring it legal (having in mind utter politicization of institutions and
courts), it would be recorded in the history as completely illegitimate. In
that, VMRO-DPMNE and DUI will bear the responsibility for illegitimate
public spending and indebting the citizens.
Be that as it may, the new ugly reality for citizens is the “fall” of the
last institution that ensured certain control over public spending or
that raised public awareness about risks of increasing loan-taking and
irrational management of taxpayers’ money. Given the fact that not a
single finding of the State Audit Office (SAO) on illegal and purposeless
public spending was followed up by institutional actions, as well as
having in mind that the media, as a channel for objective information on
public funds management, are completely compromised, the Parliament
remained the only institution where different arguments and warnings
on public spending can be put forward. The newly established situation
in the state no longer includes the Parliament as a check-and-balance
“instrument”, and thereby gives the ruling majority untied hands for
borrowing and spending.
Financing of state operation without having the
budget adopted is allowed under the law
This gloomy event was preceded by opposition’s action on submitting
more than thousand amendments (as already practiced by the ruling
majority’s coalition partner – DUI, which at that time was declared to
be a democratic right) for the purpose of preventing budget adoption
in the scope and contents proposed by the government. Taking into
consideration that the government, supported by majority of voters, does
not reflect the will of all citizens (for example, opposition supporters
and politically unaffiliated individuals), a democratic country allows
these citizens to express and fight for their interests through the system
institutions, including the Parliament. On 24th December 2012, by
usurping the Parliament, the ruling majority denied the right of 370,000
opposition supporters and of all politically unaffiliated individuals who
disagree with the proposed state treasury breakdown, to express their
disagreement in the institutions, through their elected representatives
and in a manner chosen by the opposition, which can nonetheless be
discussed at a broader debate as to whether it was the only possible
choice. The argument that the ruling majority’s right to spend public
funds as it pleases is derived from the citizens’ trust it has gained and it
can be rewarded or punished for that only on elections, is counteracted
with the argument that the opposition’s right to contest - in its opinion
035
- the erroneous policy on public spending, is also derived from the large
number of citizens who voted for it, and can also be tested at elections.
Actual reason for increased budget funds in the
first quarter of 2013
contrary to the
propaganda that
the budget’s
non-adoption
would bring under
question payment
of salaries,
pensions and
social transfers,
such situation
could have become
reality only if
the government had
discretionarily
decided to
036
The budget is one of the most important state documents and a situation
where the budget is not adopted before the start of the new fiscal
year cannot be considered normal and should not become a regular
practice. However, the law anticipates state operation in “extraordinary
circumstances” if - due to various reasons - the budget is not adopted
within the law-stipulated deadline. In such situation, the so-called “interim
financing” is applied, i.e., the law provision whereby the ruling authorities
are allowed to spend one-third of the total expenditure recorded in the
first quarter of the previous fiscal year, which means that the government
would be allowed to spend 197 million EUR, i.e., the amount of one third
of expenditure in the first quarter of 2012, or practically, as much as it
spent in January last year. Therefore, contrary to the propaganda that the
budget’s non-adoption would bring under question payment of salaries,
pensions and social transfers, such situation could have become reality
only if the government had discretionarily decided to, because funds from
taxes would be naturally collected in the state treasury with or without
budget adoption and because citizens would continue to buy goods, and
thereby pay VAT, and because payment of employment benefits would
also continue.
However, what would have become a real problem if the budget was
not adopted is the settlement of state debts towards the economy and
budget spending that might buy votes.
For example, data from the Ministry of Finance indicate that during early
parliamentary elections in 2011, public spending in the months leading
to the Election Day (March, April and May) was significantly higher
compared to remaining months of the year. This pre-election period (for
local elections) will be characterized by settlement of debts towards the
economy, increased pensions and other expenses for targeted groups
of voters. The unsettled portion of debts towards the economy amounts
to around 30 million EUR, if one trusts the Prime Minister’s statement
that state’s total debt amounted to 90 million EUR, 70% of which have
been settled. Under the interim budget financing, it would have been
nearly impossible to secure these 30 million EUR and the authorities
might have found themselves in a situation of unsettled debts towards
the companies before the elections, thereby instigating the wrath of
thousands of employees from these companies, but also of companies’
owners, who are commonly considered election campaign donors. On
this account, the attempt to complete the operation “debt settlement
before the elections” is the main motive of the authorities for adopting
the budget in the desired and tailor-made form. Moreover, if opposition’s
doubts that the governing authorities intend to use public funds in order
to secure “electoral victory” are true, such situation would imply increase
of expenditure in the first quarter of this year compared to last year’s
figures, when there were no elections (fuel spent for rallies throughout
the country, various discretionary transfers, increased pensions, early
payment of subsidies).
Opposition’s savings plan
In order to exit the impasse in the committee on finance and budget, the
united opposition proposed a savings plan that implies budget cuts for
2013 in total amount of 204.8 million EUR. As argued by the opposition,
under the savings plan the government would have no needs to indebt
Macedonian citizens for the purpose of covering costs that cannot be
secured with budget revenue collected, but will finance public needs
mainly with tax-collected funds.
In order to
exit the
impasse in
the committee
on finance
and budget,
the united
opposition
proposed a
savings plan
that implies
budget cuts
for 2013 in
total amount
of 204.8
million EUR.
According to the plan presented by SDSM, total of 132.4 million EUR would
be saved under on-going expenditure, while 72.4 million EUR would
be saved under capital expenditure. In that, SDSM stated that these
budget cuts would not endanger payment of pensions, social allowance,
subsidies for farmers and salaries for the public administration. For
example, the party proposed budget cut of 106.3 million EUR under the
subaccount “goods and services” enlisted as on-going expenditure,
which represents a 10% decrease compared to funds spent in 2012. Also,
all projects that are not considered most necessary for implementation
in 2013 should be postponed for the future. The savings plan proposed
a 10% decrease of travelling and per diem expenses compared to 2012
figures, which would mean less traveling and per diems for public office
holders.
037
activities on
constructing
new school sport
halls cannot
continue, given
the fact that
sport halls
constructed in
the past have
not been issued
approvals for
use and they have
not resolved
issues with
regular heating.
Under the 2013 budget, the government anticipated increased costs
for “utilities and heating”, “communications and transport,” “supplies
and small inventory,” “repairs and maintenance” and “other ongoing expenditure”. On the other hand, SDSM proposed decreased
spending by 10% under these budget items compared to 2012 figures.
They propose a 20% decrease under the budget account “outsourcing
services” compared to 2012 figures, and cancellation of all expenditure
intended for government’s advertising campaigns. Furthermore, as
part of its savings plan, SDSM indicated that “at times of crisis, in
election year and at times when media report on public administration
employees who receive salaries, but do not go to work, we believe that
the state budget should not allocate funds for temporary employment”.
Finally, the proposal includes a budget cut of 26.1 million EUR under the
account “various transfers”, which is not related to pensions, salaries
and social transfers. As for budget cuts in the amount of 72.4 million EUR
under capital expenditure, the savings plan proposes discontinuation of
activities concerning “Skopje 2014” project, as well as refrainment from
purchasing new furniture and vehicles, with the exception of ambulance
vehicles and public transportation buses. As regards the proposal to
cease all activities on construction works related to “Skopje 2014,”
the opposition argued that “given the past experience and problems
concerning documents and multiple increases in price of construction
works by means of various annexes to initial contracts signed, we
believe that an independent audit of complete documents related to this
project is needed.” In addition, the proposal contains delay of works on
superstructure at the Ministry of Finance’s building, which was planned,
but was not constructed in the past six years.
As regards savings under capital expenditure, SDSM indicates that
“activities on constructing new school sport halls cannot continue,
given the fact that sport halls constructed in the past have not been
issued approvals for use and they have not resolved issues with regular
heating”. For the purpose of cost-effective management of public funds,
SDSM requested the funds allocated to state-owned company ELEM
(Macedonian Power Plants) and intended for construction of ski centers,
as well funds from the Agency for Electronic Communications intended
for construction of aqua-park and advertising, to be used more efficiently.
However, in its proposal, SDSM does not refer to government’s debts
towards the companies, for which the Government decided to indebt the
038
039
population, notably by increasing the budget deficit threshold (negative
difference between budget revenue and expenditure) to 3.5% of GDP or
to 280 million EUR. Even though SDSM’s plan appears to be rational and
well-argued, due to cuts proposed under accounts related to temporary
(read: party) employments, construction of populist facilities (aqua
park), it seems that the key conflict between the government and the
opposition is not a conflict of economic concepts, but a political battle
where one side would try to win the elections, by using citizens’ money,
and the other side would try to prevent that. The united opposition
tried to prevent “election buy-out” by blocking budget adoption with
amendments in exchange for approval of their savings plan. Although
unpopular, this instrument was perhaps the only one available to the
opposition, knowing that all institutions and the media are controlled by
the government.
Failure of societal instruments for public
spending control
Numerous examples from our societal life show an ambience of
institutional failure and instrumentalization of institutions to the will of
one person/party. In addition to the fact that not a single SAO report (as
mentioned above) was followed up by institutional actions, sanctions
were not imposed for the 3 million EUR “gap” in VMRO-DPMNE’s election
campaign funding during the 2011 early parliamentary elections. The
second democratic mechanism – true and objective media information so
that citizens will be able to form a quality decision about who they would
entrust with management of public funds at elections - cannot be used as
well. As mentioned, the media are completely compromised, and there
are only a handful of independent media outlets. Trust to manage public
spending won by VMRO-DPMNE and DUI at 2011 elections was used to
finance media outlets and in that ensure broadcasting of information to
the liking of the governing majority. The most recent example includes
TV Alfa where, after a several-year moratorium, government’s campaigns
are again broadcasted. This dynamics is proportionally increasing to
the decreasing number of journalists with critical observation of the
reality. And finally, the alleged Serbian owner of this TV station proved
to be extremely good connoisseur of “journalistic names” that bring in
040
government’s advertisements, and therefore recruited staff from already
“conquered” TV Sitel, daily Dnevnik and the public broadcasting service,
who are expected to replace “unfit” staff from TV Alfa (which after New
Year holidays was officially bought from the previous owner “Fersped”
for 150,000 EUR). In its 2011 Progress Report, the European Commission
indicted the reason behind the fall in objectivity of information when
it noted that “the government is one of the biggest advertisers in the
country and there are concerns that funds are directed to television
channels which are supportive of the government.” Furthermore, it is
noted that “editors and journalists have faced increasing undue political
pressure and intimidation, resulting in widespread self-censorship”.
In addition, outside the news programmes, the government – by using
terrifying paid propaganda - vilifies the opposition by broadcasting
spots (commissioned by VMRO-DPMNE, whose financing source remains
unknown to the public) and bombard the citizens with one-sided
information, thereby causing a real danger by misleading them about
the economic goals pursued under the current budget policy. An obvious
example thereof was the propaganda message sent that if the budget is
not adopted by the end of the year, there will be no money for salaries,
pensions and social transfers. However, even if the budget was not
adopted within the law-stipulated, the same citizens - consumers of this
information - will shop at stores on 1st of January 2013, where they pay VAT
for all goods purchased, as well as various taxes and state contributions,
which - in fact – finance their income.
On this account, ignoring findings of SAO, critically-minded media and the
Anti-Corruption Commission has narrowed the space for the opposition
to take actions different from blocking the procedure in the committee
on finance and budget. With this act, they expressed the revolt of their
constituency with the fact that the budget funds, i.e., public funds
are managed in irrational manner, creating enormous debts for future
generations.
Trust to manage
public spending
won by VMRODPMNE and DUI at
2011 elections
was used to
finance media
outlets and in
that ensure
broadcasting of
information to
the liking of
the governing
majority.
041
Days of dramatic borrowing
Confirmation that the government did not prefer interim financing so
that it would be able to settle its liabilities towards the companies,
which usually appear as donors during the elections, but also in order
to spend large sums of public money in the next period, is the frantic
and enormous debt incurred in the last month. In December 2012 alone,
the government borrowed 230.5 million EUR on the domestic market and
additional 132 million EUR on 8th January 2013, or within a period of forty
days it borrowed a total of 363 million EUR. In addition, by means of a
decision taken by the Parliament, without the opposition, the EUR from
the Deutsche Bank, and loan in the form of a guarantee from the World
Bank worth 155 million EUR (already approved by the World Bank). In
sum, the amount borrowed accounts for striking 770 million EUR only
in the last month and a half, or from December onwards each citizen is
burdened with a new debt of almost 400 EUR. If an average Macedonian
family, according to the recommendations given by the government, is
comprised of spouses (husband and wife) and three children, then the
new borrowing from the past month and a half amounts to 2,000 EUR per
family.
In order to settle arrears for treasury bills issued on the domestic market
due for payment this month (9th and 16th January), the Government must
pay 120 million EUR, which is much less than the amount it collected.
On 13th January, it paid 183 million EUR in arrears for the interest rate of
9.9% on the Eurobond issued in 2009. However, the Eurobond payment
was not made with funds from the new loans taken in the last 40 days,
because – in the words of the Minister of Finance - the government kept
approximately 200 million EUR on its account from last year’s borrowing
on the foreign market for this purpose. 2012 budget deficit was mainly
financed by borrowing on the domestic market. Despite the declared
policy for 2012 initial budget breakdown which did not plan borrowing
on the domestic marker, the budget adjustment anticipated collection of
60 million EUR on the basis of treasury bills issued. However, throughout
the year, the government collected around 600 million EUR (on the basis
of three- and six-months treasury bills, some of which have matured and
were settled).
042
On the basis of all these events the conclusion is inferred that
nowadays, when the Parliament works without the opposition, new
loan-taking is approved with maximum (paid) propaganda about the
benefits of “investments” financed by public funds, and with minimum
accountability. Given that the budget is just a plan, while the budget’s
final balance sheet shows what has been realized, the proof of minimum
accountability is the fact that, to present, the 2011 budget’s final balance
sheet is not published on the Ministry of Finance’s website. Therefore,
we do not know how much has been actually realized by the government
from what it boasted will be invested. In the current situation, the citizens
are deprived of the opportunity to obtain true and objective information
about the manner in which their money were spent: whether public
spending has improved their quality of life or money was spent to satisfy
the personal whims of those who were given exclusive right to manage
public funds. The opposition has extremely narrow space to make
changes in the institutions, be it by presenting arguments different from
those marketed by the government (and aired in most media outlets).
Hence, considering the situation described by the former Governor Gosev
when he stated that the money are in their hands (the ruling authorities),
while the debts fall on us, new alternative ways must be designed for
information on public spending to reach as many citizens as possible, in
order for them to make the right decision at the elections when they elect
the state treasury’s guardian.
043
044
045
Zarko Trajanovski
Chronology of Events
21st December 2012
ƒƒ After yesterday’s coordination meeting,
opposition warned that ruling authorities
want to adopt the budget at all costs,
without due care for the Constitution and
the laws. (“Opposition accuses of violation
to Constitution and laws: Trajko wants to
push budget adoption by staging coup
d’état”, Den, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Igor Ivanovski: “Trajko Veljanoski, on
behalf of the government, pursues
a scenario on staging a party coup
d’état to stomp on the Constitution and
parliamentary democracy, in order to adopt
the Budget of Republic of Macedonia by
force. This is introduction into dangerous
scenario and we must therefore react in
time and appeal to reason.” (“Trajko wants
to push budget adoption by staging coup
d’état”, Den, pg. 8)
ƒƒ Ilija Dimovski: “SDSM creates chaos in
the Parliament, because it wants to create
chaos in the state.” (“Ilija Dimovski: SDSM
purposefully creates chaos”, Den, pg. 8)
ƒƒ Yesterday, opposition members did
not accept “third attempt” to approve
the budget. VMRO-DPMNE believes
opposition’s ultimate goal is to prevent
elections, since it is the only way
for SDSM to avoid electoral defeat.
(“Ruling authorities offer new solution
to budget crisis: Government accepts 44
046
amendments, opposition blocks again”,
Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Protests are attended by farmers who did
not receive this year’s subsidies, although
the budget is valid and enforceable, but
are concerned about “what would happen”
next year. They are revolted with the
opposition in future, but are silent about
not being paid what they are entitled to in
present. (Jadranka Kostova, “Wake Up”,
Fokus, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Even if SDSM relinquishes, Albanians will
block [budget adoption] (Fokus, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Opposition and government with different
concepts: SDSM pursues German, and
VMRO-DPMNE pursues American budget
scenario (Nova Makedonija, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Zlatko Kalenikov: “We believe that next
year’s budget must be adopted by 31st
December, because it has an important
role for functioning of state and entire
economy.” (“Union of Chambers of
Commerce: [Budget] deadlock will destroy
the economy”, Nova Makedonija, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Debate on government-proposed 2013
budget included “Makraduli’s tears”,
“Cry-baby Vlatko”, Blagorodna [Dulik]’s
fingernail, murder of Martin Neskovski
and shooting of Dime Ickovski – Postman,
judicial outcome for milkman Dusko
Ilievski, as well as altercations about how
much and who contributed to pensioners’
wellbeing and how much and who is
constructing or not.” (Mirce Jovanovski,
“Indiana Jones and the Macedonian
Budget”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Experts counteract SDSM about budget
deadlock: Circus of rating-less desperados
(Vecer, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Izet Zekiri from NDP: “If I proposed
construction of fountain, they might have
accepted my proposal; however, I am
proposing serious infrastructural projects,
but they are of little importance to them.”
(“SDSM doesn’t relinquish its savings
plan”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Union of Chambers of Commerce is
concerned with current state-of-affairs
/ Kalenikov: Budget deadlock leads
Macedonia towards bankruptcy (Vecer, pg.
3)
ƒƒ Ilija Dimovski: “They [opposition] threaten
the economic and financial stability of all
Macedonian families.” (“VMRO-DPMNE:
They blackmail citizens”, Utrinski vesnik,
pg. 3)
ƒƒ Approval of savings measures for 2013
state budget might result in financial
savings of at least 204 million EUR. Twothirds of this amount will be saved in terms
of running costs. Instead of increasing
next year’s budget items on travelling and
per diems by 18% compared to this year’s
budget, as anticipated by the Government,
these expenditure items can be reduced by
10% compared to their amount under this
year’s budget. Government must fasten its
belt and reduce all running costs by 10%,
such as maintenance, small inventory,
telephone bills, etc. So-called outsourcing
contracts can be reduced by 20%. This
budget account is used by the Government
to hide its expenditure on advertising
and campaigns. (Zoran Jovanoski, “Easy
Borrowing, Serious Consequences”,
Utrinski vesnik, pg. 13)
ƒƒ Late in the evening, two days ago, Radmila
Sekerinska, MP from SDSM, in the midst
of committee on finance and budget’s
debate on amendments proposed by her
political party, accused MP and Chief of
VMRO-DPMNE’s Communication Centre,
Ilija Dimovski, of being charge d’affaires
news editor at many media outlets. (“Chief
of VMRO-DPMNE’s Communication Centre
threatens to have MP Goran Misovski
spread on newspaper covers: Dimovski
doesn’t disclose number of media outlets
where he acts as charge d’affaires editorin-chief”, Vest, pg. 7)
ƒƒ Stavrevski proposes no funds from
World Bank’s loan to be spent before
elections. Opposition finds this proposal
unacceptable. Crvenkovski is fonder
of boycott than elections. Gruevski
reassures citizens no chances for Greece’s
[bankruptcy] scenario to happen here.
Budget divides the artists. Redundant
workers from Kumanovo demand money
to end their Golgotha. (TV 24 Vesti, primetime news programme at 20:00 hours)
047
ƒƒ Zoran Stavrevski: “We propose the Social
Democratic Union to have those 250
million EUR [World Bank’s loan] deposited
at separate bank account in the National
Bank. Agreement that will be approved
by Parliament, should SDSM accepts, will
include a provision that these funds cannot
be used until elections are completed,
except for a share of funds intended to
settle state’s liabilities abroad, including
bond arrears.” (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time
news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Igor Ivanovski: “Zoran Stavrevski’s
proposal to vote for budget and new loan
in the amount of 250 million EUR and to
deposit these funds at bank account in the
National Bank is unacceptable. It implies
new borrowing and government’s luxury.
Our proposal is to save 204 million EUR,
and thus eliminate the need for new loans.
We are principled; taking new loans should
not be reconsidered before, during or after
elections.” (“No compromise about budget
adoption”, TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Mersel Biljali: “If threat is intended to
improve legislative framework and update
voter’s list – that is a normal, natural right
of the concerned entity to request it. At
last, we must have these matters sorted
out and organize normal elections. If the
purpose is to avoid elections due to fear
from having to leave politics, then the
requirements put forwards are utterly
irresponsible.” (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time
news programme at 20:00 hours)
048
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “Allow me to
announce, loud and clear, that if Electoral
Code is not amended and if voter’s list is
not updated in compliance with OSCE/
ODIHR recommendations, the Social
Democratic Union, and other political
parties in opposition, will not take part
in the elections.” (“Crvenkovski: Without
changes to Electoral Code, we’ll boycott
the elections”, TV 24 Vesti, prime-time
news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Branko Gjorcev: “If all MPs from the
opposition do not approve the budget by
31st December, we –artists from Macedonia
– are prepared to gather in front of their
headquarters, not to stand in protest, but
to kneel down and beg for these beautiful
buildings to be constructed.” (TV 24 Vesti,
prime-time news programme at 20:00
hours)
ƒƒ Meri Georgievska: “I am member of VMRODPMNE. Strike is a voluntary act. I was
not inspired by the call to strike of the
theatrical elite in Macedonia. Culture is
either ideological or it’s not culture. I am
a person of integrity, and that offended
persons who later threatened me on my
Facebook profile. I can only feel sorry
for them, but I am not bitter, because
bitterness creates fear, and who needs
fear in a democratic society?” (“Budget
altercations”, TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Voter’s list is updated. 128 thousand
voters who do not possess biometric
identification documents were deleted.
Stavrevski offered to freeze loan funds
(250 million EUR), in order to reassure
the opposition that these funds are not
intended for elections. No progress on
the budget. (TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Managers of institutions, who led the
march along Macedonia Street, across
city square and over Stone Bridge to the
new theatre building, claim that no trade
union stands behind the march, i.e. it was
organized on voluntary basis, although a
notification was posted in many cultural
institutions indicating that institution’s
management informs employees that
their absence from work during protests
would be considered justified. Despite
such notification, many artists remained
at their jobs. (“Women artists against the
opposition”, TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Zoja Buzalkovska: “I have not seen all
amendments proposed by the opposition
in order to be able to make a merit-based
judgement. However, it seems that
something different is at stake. What I
would least like to see is for artists in
Macedonia to become an instrument in
the hands of certain political structures.”
(“Women artists against the opposition”,
TV Alfa, prime-time news programme at
19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Petar Atanasov: “If a society is suffocating
in poverty, is without perspective, without
right to choose, one can easily persuade
people to ‘support’ them. I think that
the Government will have to re-examine
its actions, where it leads Macedonia
and how it rules, especially knowing
that it managed to transform professors,
students, and even some artists, into
caricatures.” (“Atanasov: Artists’ protest
was government’s puppet theatre”, TV
Alfa, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ VMRO-DPMNE is committed only to
local elections in spring, but not to
early parliamentary elections. This was
stated by political party’s leader and
Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, after
his meeting with presidents of political
parties from the coalition “For Better
Macedonia” led by VMRO-DPMNE. Nikola
Gruevski: “Our goal is not to have early
parliamentary elections. Our goal is to have
local elections, while early parliamentary
elections will be held when the time is ripe.
This is my answer.” (“Leaders’ meeting of
the coalition ‘For Better Macedonia;”, TV
Alfa, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Government proposes loans to be spent
after elections. Opposition doesn’t
relinquish budget block. Crvenkovski
sacrifices the state in order to spare
himself another defeat on local elections.
(TV Kanal 5, prime-time news programme)
ƒƒ By marching the streets in downtown
Skopje, artists said “no” to the opposition
which, by means of budget blocks, wants
to return them to brass barracks, instead
of having them perform in new buildings.
049
(“Actors, musicians, singers march in
defence of art and dignity”, TV Kanal 5,
prime-time news programme)
ƒƒ Crvenkovski wants to push Macedonia
into chaos and save himself - stated
Prime Minister Gruevski, interpreting
opposition leader’s recent threat that
they would boycott forthcoming local
elections. (“Gruevski: This is last chance
for Crvenkovski”, MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service)
ƒƒ Opposition’s proposal on budget cuts
will result in workers being fired, as
well as untimely payment of salaries in
education, health care, the police, and
the army - warned representatives from
the Confederation of Independent Trade
Unions in Macedonia. They demand
immediate resolution of disagreements in
Parliament and timely budget adoption,
so as not to endanger state’s future.
Mirjana Andreska: “Opposition’s proposal
on budget cuts for capital investments
is completely unacceptable, because
irrespectively of type of projects for
which these funds are anticipated, they
guarantee life sustenance for several
thousands of workers, who would
be jobless if these projects are not
implemented.” (“Independent trade
unions react about the budget”, MRT1,
prime-time news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ Gruevski: “Crvenkovski plans to boycott
local elections, and he therefore devises
050
blocks, blackmail and chaos due to
personal, not political, interests. Deadlock
in the Parliament is just one way to delay
his retirement from politics.” (TV Sitel,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Artists protest against opposition’s
proposal on budget cuts. Their colleagues
advise that dissatisfaction can be
expressed through art as well, not only by
acting as government’s instrument. (TV
Telma, prime-time news programme at
18:30 hours)
ƒƒ Fourth coordination with Parliament’s
Speaker Veljanovski fails: No budget, but
it’s not the end of the world (Vest, pg. 1)
ƒƒ As soon as I saw artists, musicians,
ballerinas and folk dancers start their protest
against opposition’s block for budget
adoption, I realized theatre is happening to
us. Great comedy of the absurd! Government
urges people to take to the streets in order
to oppose the opposition in Parliament. I
have not seen a more hilarious show in my
life. (Goran Mihajlovski, “Artists’ Manifesto”,
Vest, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Gruevski: Crvenkovski works for personal
interest, and on citizens’ detriment (Vecer, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Budget deadlock will prevent relaxed
monetary policy / Bogov: No cheaper credits
without budget adopted (Vecer, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “If democracy is not
allowed in the institutions, then – by the
natural law of matters – democracy will
emerge on the streets.” (“Gruevski to SDSM:
You create chaos”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Nikola Gruevski: “I have nothing against
street democracy. Today there are people
dissatisfied with opposition’s behaviour
and have taken to the streets. I do not know
why Branko Crvenkovski did not explain
them why they [the opposition] are blocking
budget adoption.” (“Gruevski to SDSM: You
create chaos”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Stojan Andov: “Opposition has the right
to pursue such policy and actions; after
all, it is a matter of the budget and also
implies citizens’ vital interests, i.e., how
much taxes will be levied on them and for
what purpose will that money be spent.”
(“Justified revolt or political trick”, Utrinski
vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Marija Zarezankova Potevska, university
professor: “Budget cuts in amount of
3.5 million EUR, as proposed by the
Minister [of Finance], is a very small sum.
Government should accept budget cuts in
much higher amount.” (“Justified revolt or
political trick”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Yesterday, new possibility for physical
tensions emerged after legislative
committee’s chair, Blagorodna Dulik,
decided to schedule a meeting despite
social-democrats’ disapproval. Again,
opposition MPs “occupied” the hall where
the meeting was scheduled to take place
and removed microphones, in order to
prevent any kind of debate. (“Parliament
crisis is deepening”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “This government is
addicted to loans and pushes the country
towards Greece’s scenario; hence, we are
forced to prevent it.” (“Crvenkovski: We’ll
prevent a Greek scenario”, Utrinski vesnik,
pg. 3)
ƒƒ Nikola Gruevski: “After being defeated
on elections, illogical is to demand your
budget programme to be accepted…
Budget implements the programme that
has won the highest number of votes on
last parliamentary elections.” (“Gruevski:
SDSM lies that Macedonia is facing Greek
scenario”, Nova Makedonija, pg. 2.)
ƒƒ SDSM to submit its plan on budget savings
as one amendment (Nova Makedonija, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Yesterday’s protest was joined by members
of the Macedonian Philharmonics,
Macedonian Opera and Ballet, Macedonian
National Theatre, National Folk Ensemble
- Tanec, Dramski Theatre – Comedy
Department, Theatre for Children and
Youth, Ohrid Theatre, Bitola Theatre and
Veles Theatre. (“Artists divided about the
budget”, Nova Makedonija, pg. 19)
ƒƒ Meri Georgievska, daughter of Ljubisa
Georgievski, contests artists’ protests
against the opposition: I am VMROmember, but this is crazy! (Fokus, pg. 1)
ƒƒ This was our first mass-attended
“internment” of artists in political
archipelago Gulag! Such a pitiful sight!
Spiritual elite, bloom of intelligence,
apparently enraged, energetic, but - in
reality - humiliated, instrumentalized,
broken down… (Zarko Jordanovski,
“Theatre of the Absurd”, Fokus, pg. 2)
051
ƒƒ Theatre of the absurd for 2013 budget:
We will kneel to beg in front of SDSM’s
headquarters (Fokus, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Prime Minister accepts the challenge:
Crvenkovski and Gruevski to meet on the
streets?! (Fokus, pg. 6)
ƒƒ In this type of situations, institute
“temporary financing” enables unhindered
operation of state’s vital functions.
This means that salaries will be paid,
scholarships will be disbursed, and
financial incentives will exist. However,
there will be no money for monuments,
willow trees, expensive furniture, vehicles,
campaigns and propaganda. Road taken by
Gruevski would only lead to Spring. Arab
Spring! That is how Muammar al-Gaddafi
was overthrown. It seems that Grujommar
al-Gaddafi is about to fall. (Stevco
Jakimovski, “Grujommar al-Gaddafi”,
Fokus, pg. 9)
ƒƒ Actors, social beneficiaries and redundant
workers demand timely budget adoption
(Dnevnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Current Government of Nikola Gruevski
is the most generous one towards the
opposition, especially because two
days ago it accepted 44 amendments
that imply budget cuts in the amount
of around 3 million EUR. In average,
previous governments accepted two to five
amendments proposed by the opposition.
(“In the past, only five oppositionproposed budget amendments were
accepted”, Dnevnik, pg. 3)
052
ƒƒ Again MPs from SDSM demonstrated
violence towards women MPs from VMRODPMNE. Is this becoming of a legislative
house? (Vlatko Gjorcev, “Budget Deadlock:
Destruction of Macedonia and Its Economy
from Within”, Dnevnik, pg. 15)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “It is not normal
for money borrowed from abroad to be
spent on tennis courts, willow trees and
monuments; these are all unproductive
costs that would not turnover funds
invested.” (“Crvenkovski accuses
the opposition18 of being addicted to
spending”, Den, pg. 9)
ƒƒ Vanco Uzunov: “Why do we have to take new
loans when we can cut budget expenditure
by 200 million EUR… If we reduce budget
expenditure, we would save a lot of money,
more than the loan’s amount.” (“Experts
about budget crisis: No more loans, we must
save money”, Den, pg. 9)
22nd December 2012
ƒƒ Tensions in the Parliament dominate
today’s news headlines. Parliament is
about to explode. Government’s new
borrowing infuriates the opposition.
Compromise must be reached. Government
and opposition must learn to listen to
each other – experts suggest. (TV 24 Vesti,
prime-time news programme at 20:00
hours)
18 Error in newspaper title.
ƒƒ Another failed coordination to de-block
budget adoption. [reporter]: Trumpets,
whistles, protesting songs and quarrels
echoed in the halls of Parliament and
replaced normal democratic debate.
Disagreements about the new budget
and borrowing escalated, instead of
calming down. Igor Ivanovski [to Dulik]:
“You continue with your thievery and
borrowings. That is why, Ms. Dulik, the
work of legislative committee is pointless
and irrelevant and that is why we will
not allow meeting’s continuation.” (TV
24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Matters aggravated, and debate was
turned into chaos and outshouting.
However, protected by parliament security
and fellow MPs, Dulik continued the
meeting and ordered parliament services
to keep shorthand notes. MPs continued
with mutual accusations for the chaos
created. (TV 24Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Igor Ivanovski: “What happens is definitely
beyond any reason and beyond the
Constitution and laws, as well as the
Rules of Procedure. Therefore, we will
stay in this hall and prevent any debate
until the meeting’s end. Legislative
committee will not be in session and will
not violate the law, the Constitution, the
Rules of Procedure. We will not allow new
loans.” Tito Petkovski: “If he [Gruevski] is
a responsible politician, he would have
come out and address Macedonia public;
he would have requested all responsible
politicians to gather and find a joint
solution to exit the chaos we were pushed
into by Gruevski himself. This does not
concern only new loans, but manner in
which democracy is practiced.” Situation
in the Parliament aggravated, after - late
last night - information surfaced that the
Government indebted the state with new
107 million EUR. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time
news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Budget will be adopted within anticipated
deadline, said Zoran Stavrevski, Minister
of Finance, but did not explain how,
especially knowing that amendments
must first be discussed at parliamentary
committees. SDSM’s leader Crvenkovski
reiterates they would not waive their
requirements. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time
news programme at 20:00 hours)
053
ƒƒ Zoran Stavrevski: “Reaching an agreement
necessitates two sides. We offered one,
two, three, four things. We do not intend to
make further offers, because there are no
more proposals, because we demonstrated
high constructivism. Now, the other side
should demonstrate constructivism,
should it wish to reach an agreement.”
Branko Crvenkovski: “Now is the moment
when one must say stop, when one
must draw the line and say ‘enough’.
No passarán! This time around, we are
determined to go all the way. There is no
going back.“ To date, government accepted
44 amendments proposed by SDSM,
which amount to budget cuts of around
2.5 million EUR. SDSM demands budget
cuts by 204 million EUR and moratorium
for new loans. MPs were enraged. Budget
debate was led in manners befitting
street quarrels. (TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ During the committee on finance and
budget’s meeting, Igor Ivanovski, SDSM’s
coordinator, said ruling authorities earned
themselves criminal charges. He appealed
to reason and advised the ruling majority
not to attempt budget adoption by force,
as consequences of such action would
be immense. (TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ In the midst of tensions that do not herald
prospects of an agreement being reached,
Minister Stavrevski assures that budget
will be adopted by the year’s end. In that,
054
he did not indicate what mechanism will
be used to override procedure deadlock,
unless he was referring to committees’
regular procedures in course. According
to former President of Parliament,
Stojan Andov, the Rules of Procedure
do not stipulate any other method on
budget adoption. It only remains for
ruling authorities to engage in physical
altercations with the opposition. (TV Alfa,
prime-time news programme at 19:00)
ƒƒ Stojan Andov: “What was he [Minister
of Finance] referring to is unknown to
me, but there are two possible ways to
adopt the budget. One is for amendmentproposing party to withdraw them and to
have the budget adopted as it is, and the
other is for the Government to accept all
demands tabled by the opposition and to
have the budget adopted. Anything else
would necessitate an agreement. Without
agreement, it would be one way or the
other from two options elaborated above.”
(TV Alfa, prime-time news programme at
19:00)
ƒƒ Igor Ivanovski: “Those in power literally
crossed all lines. Yesterday, while we were
discussing [budget amendments] not
only did they fail to decrease luxury and
expenditure item, but secretively took new
loan – believe it or not – in amount of 100
million EUR. What they are doing is beyond
any reason; it is insolent, rude, and is
already turning Macedonia into Greece-like
state. We have already entered Greece’s
scenario [bankruptcy].” (TV Alsat M, primetime news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ National anthem, exchange of insults and
thievery of parliament property. Opposition
acts aggressively. Budget is blocked. (TV
Kanal 5, prime-time news programme at
19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Nikola Gruevski (footage from
21.12.2012): “It is a matter of conscious
efforts to block the entire society and
an attempt to manipulate events as if
they are pursued for good cause, with
benevolent intentions; as if they wish to
protect citizens’ interests. Actually, that
is done for the purpose of creating chaos
in the country, causing damages and
blaming the Government for that.” (MRT1,
prime-time news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ After they implemented the transition
process, declined the constitutional name
and national flag, atrophied the state
defence in 2011, de-polled the national
flag in Municipality of Karpos, SDSM and
Crvenkovski now start to physically attack
Macedonians and create open conflicts
between people. Today, with physical
attacks, SDSM did not allow normal
operation in the Parliament. After all their
doings, singing of national anthem by
Crvenkosvki’s MPs is cynicism and insult
for Macedonians. (TV Sitel, prime-time
news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ What gives us hope that chaos and
mutual destruction would not happen is
resoluteness demonstrated by Minister of
Finance Stavrevski, who announced that
the budget will be adopted and that threats
to Macedonian democracy will be stopped.
(TV Sitel, prime-time news programme at
19:00 hours)
ƒƒ By singing revolutionary songs, opposition
prevented the work of legislative
committee and accused the government of
new, secretive indebtment in the amount
of 100 million EUR. (TV Telma, prime-time
news programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ We will not allow democracy to be
suspended and political party state
to be installed – said SDSM’s leader
Crvenkovski. NDP’s leader Osmani
requested establishment of broad coalition
government following the example
from 2001. (TV Telma, prime-time news
programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ Igor Ivanovski: “That is why they needed
the police to make a human shield around
Dulik, whose family profited from countless
tenders. That is why they needed the police
– to have her fellow MPs protected. We are
singing the national anthem just as it was
sang by Macedonian heroes and fighters in
the Second World War and afterwards… On
Gruevski’s order, and executed by Trajko
Veljanovski, they act like the Fascists,
the Nazis when they were setting the
Bundestag on fire. At this moment, VMRODPMNE is executing direct intrusion in
parliamentary democracy… Evidence in
support is the fact that highest amount of
055
money (4 billion USD) – from companies
he privatized – was taken abroad at the
time when Nikola Gruevski was in power
and Stavrevski was his right-hand man.”
(TV Telma, prime-time news programme at
18:30)
23rd December 2012
ƒƒ Budget put on voting without completed
debate on budget amendments.
Opposition accuses that political party
putsch is staged. Artists, sportsmen and
farmers unite in “Front for Macedonia”
against SDSM. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time
news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ At an extraordinary meeting held this
evening, the Government designs new draft
budget without having debate completed
on more than 1,000 amendments
proposed by the opposition, by means of
which it demands cuts in public spending.
Opposition accuses that a police coup
d’état is staged. As of tonight, opposition
MPs will sleep in front of plenary hall in the
Parliament. (TV 24 Vesti, prime time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Zoran Stavrevski: “Budget must be
adopted by 31st December this year. Stakes
are too high and there is great uncertainty
and anxiety caused by the manner in which
opposition behaves. Given the fact that
committees do not function, I believe there
are other procedures that would allow start
of plenary session. Government’s meeting
056
is scheduled for today. We are expecting
relevant materials and on their basis the
Government will define its position.” (TV
24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Igor Ivanovski: “Yesterday and today,
scenario is implemented in collision with
the Constitution, the Law on Parliament,
Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, in order
for the ruling majority to adopt the budget
in opaque, controversial and unlawful
manner on Sunday. Tomorrow, citizen
Trajko Veljanovski, executor of this
scenario, will forcefully impose the budget
on plenary session’s agenda. As of this
afternoon and into the night, tomorrow
and in the following days – for as long as
it takes – we will not leave Parliament’s
premises. We will be situated in front of
Hall 1 for as many days as needed, in order
to prevent this political party coup d’état.“
(TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news programme
at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Once information leaked that the
Government is devising a plan on budget
adoption without debate on budget
amendments, at this moment, SDSM’s
Executive Board is in session and is
attended by representatives from all
opposition parties united in “Union for the
Future”. It is expected this meeting to end
with conclusions on opposition’s future
actions. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ (journalist question): “What are you going
to achieve by sleeping over in protest
or ‘camping at the Parliament’ as you
call it?” Jani Makraduli: “This is more a
‘sleepless vigilance’, because we want to
demonstrate that we had enough with all
violations to laws; we had enough with all
violations to the Constitution; and it’s high
time to discontinue government’s doings
that are contrary to citizens’ interests.
Today, we came to the Parliament to work in
citizens’ best interest.” (TV 24 Vesti, primetime news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Government is in session and reconsiders
2013 draft budget which did not pass filters
at parliamentary committees, but Speaker
Veljanovski returned it for reconsideration
by the Government. (TV Alfa, prime-time
news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Zoran Stavrevski: “We will not allow
citizens to suffer and that is why we are
determined to have the budget adopted.”
(TV Kanal 5, prime-time news programme
at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Opposition will stay overnight in the
Parliament. Tomorrow, “People’s Front” will
protest in front of the Parliament in support
of budget adoption. (TV Kanal 5, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Prime Minister Gruevski sends a message:
“As human being and citizen, I appeal to
stop holding the nation hostage and to have
the budget adopted.” He says Crvenkovski’s
career cannot be more important than
the fate of two million citizens. (MRT1,
prime-time news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ SDSM will make a human shield in front to
the Parliament to prevent budget adoption.
Six days ago, the World Bank responded
to SDSM that there is no room for concerns
about Macedonia’s debt. (MRT1, primetime news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ Citizens dissatisfied with deadlock policy
are uniting in “Front for Macedonia”. By
organizing mass protests, they will oppose
Crvenkovski. (TV Sitel, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Parliament crisis is deepening: SDSM
sleeps in the Parliament, Government on
alert (Vest, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Branko’s vanity, which is the reason
behind budget deadlock, unites the nation:
We finally understand his mind / People’s
Front, Front for Macedonia: We had enough
of B.C. (Vecer, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Politicians must take their hands off our
money and allow budget funds intended
for salaries, pensions, subsidies, social
allowance, etc… to be disbursed to those
in great need – appeals newly-established
People’s Front, Front for Macedonia. The
Front calls all citizens to join mass protests
that will take place today in front of the
Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia.
(“We finally understand Branko’s mind,
both as Prime Minister and President of
State”, Vecer, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Aleksandar Novakovski, former Secretary
General of the Parliament: “Returning
the draft budget to the Government for
reconsideration without reports from
057
competent working bodies is violation
to the Rules of Procedures. Thereby, the
President of Parliament suspends working
bodies and takes into his own hands all
parliamentary matters.” (“Government
makes no concessions, SDMS prepares
human shield”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Gruevski: Crvenkovski’s vanity is the
reason behind budget deadlock (Utrinski
vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Budget battle: Government prepares coup
d’état, opposition camps in Parliament /
Ruling majority’s final attempt to adopt the
budget in smuggling and spy-like manner
(Fokus, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Citizens revolted: Opposition’s blocks
countered by People’s Front (Dnevnik, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Gruevski responds: No need for leaders’
meeting because SDSM’s leader is vain
(Dnevnik, pg. 1)
ƒƒ On the question to be or not to be, our
artists decided not to be as they took
part in the farce called “Artists’ protest
against budget’s non-adoption”, directed
by the ruling authorities… Our theatre
prima donna Jelena Zugik – visibly
angered – announced that even in times
of great famine France continued to build
palaces and museums, but she obviously
forgot about Marie Antoinette who, upon
learning that people had no bread, said
‘let them eat cake’, but was later beheaded
by the same people. (Aleksandra
Bubevska, “Marie Antoinette from Our
Neighbourhood”, Den, pg. 2)
058
ƒƒ Gruevski calls to reason, opposition holds
vigilance inside the Parliament: Budget can
be adopted only by force (Den, pg. 4)
24th December 2012
ƒƒ This section includes TV news programmes
broadcasted on 24.12.2012 and daily
newspapers printed on 25.12.2012
1) Police selective in
halting protest groups
ƒƒ Yesterday, opposition buses headed for
Skopje to attend protests in front of the
Parliament were kept for almost three
hours on Kumanovo’s exit route. Police
halted the buses under auspices of
roadside technical inspection, but people
from SDSM Kumanovo say authorities
wanted to prevent them to arrive to
protests in time. (“Opposition buses halted
near Kumanovo”, Vest, pg. 6)
ƒƒ Traffic police ordered buses with
opposition members headed to protests
in Skopje to undergo roadside technical
inspection. Buses transporting counterprotesters were allowed to continue
towards Skopje. How did the police know
which buses should be halted and which
buses should be allowed to pass? This is
unprecedented! - say people from Veles
who support the opposition. (“VelesSkopje highway blocked for hour and a
half”, Vest, pg. 6)
ƒƒ Zoran Damjanovski, Mayor of Kumanovo:
“One vehicle is halted for more than one
hour, allegedly because it should undergo
technical inspection. This is despotism and
dictatorship pursued by the Government of
the Republic of Macedonia.” (“Opposition
buses halted to prevent their arrival to
protests in Skopje”, TV 24 Vesti)
ƒƒ Ace Kocevski: “This morning, on the way to
Skopje, large police crew halted our buses
near Makpetrol gas station and redirected
them to extraordinary technical inspection.
Just several minutes earlier, all buses
transporting VMRO-DPMNE members and
fans were allowed to pass.” (“Opposition
buses halted to prevent their arrival to
protests in Skopje”, TV 24 Vesti)
ƒƒ In correct manner, policeman told us
they were ordered to halt our buses
and redirect bus drivers to technical
inspection, confirmed Mayor of Ohrid
Petreski. (“Opposition buses redirected to
‘extraordinary’ technical inspection”, TV
Alfa)
ƒƒ According to our sources, yesterday
morning members of VMRO-DPMNE from
the capital and other towns country-wide
were called to attend protests in Skopje.
Text messages were sent to party members
in Kisela Voda, Aerodrom, Ilinden, but
also to party members in Kavadarci, Veles
and Prilep. Most numerous among people
summoned to protests were “redundant
workers”, “social beneficiaries” and
“farmers”. On the contrary, SDSM
supporters who wanted to attend protests
were halted by the police. (Igor Caveski,
“In addition to local, budget will trigger
parliamentary face-offs: Political crisis will
bring early elections?”, Den, pg. 9)
2) Morning protests outside
the Parliament
ƒƒ Tense atmosphere outside the Parliament.
Tens of thousands citizens are gathered to
prevent Crvenkovski and his supporters to
enter the Parliament by force and obstruct
budget adoption. (headline announcement
on MRT1, prime-time news programme at
the Public Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ On one side are opposition supporters
mainly comprised of SDSM party activists.
On the other side of police’s tampon
zone are ten times more citizens united in
“Front for Macedonia”… The Front protests
against SDSM’s politics and declares
they are here to defend their interest
and dignity, and to express their revolt
against Branko Crvenkovski’s defeating
and harmful politics. (“Protests outside
the Parliament”, MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service)
ƒƒ Earlier, anger was ignited by MP Amdi
Bajram, who was greeted with ovations
by the United Front, while opposition fans
were throwing eggs at him. This is how
he responded (footage of MP showing his
middle finger). (“Opposition on barricades,
the police with batons”, TV Alfa)
059
ƒƒ Wood, stones, bottles, potatoes and eggs
comprised the ammunition flying over
heads of supporters from both political
parties, and main exchanges happened
near the former City Hospital. (Lepa
Gjorgievska, “Tensions on the streets”,
Dnevnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Stones, firecrackers, blunt objects,
apples, eggs, cabbage and carrots were
flying around. On two occasions, double
cordon of special police force members
managed to prevent major incidents when
- at one moment – both sides attempted
to physically attack one another. Several
protesters were injured and were
immediately taken to the City Hospital.
(Irena Cackova, “Outside the Parliament
crowds confronted each other with stones,
apples and eggs / Crvenkovski: Gruevski
wants to replace Slobodan Milosevik”,
Den, pg. 4-5)
ƒƒ Protests and counter-protests resulted in
injured heads, exchange of profanities
and insults (TV Telma, prime-time news
programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ In the major protests where people
gathered to prevent opposition’s attempt
to further block budget adoption,
they clashed with SDSM’s followers.
Fortunately, except for small incidents, no
protesters were injured. (TV Kanal 5, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Tensions, mutual accusations, exchange
of profanities and insults, attacks on the
police and on VMRO-DPMNE’s members
060
and fans characterized the protest
organized by SDSM against budget
adoption. Several injured people and
several persons detained - is the final
tally, once the protests officially ended
in the afternoon. (“Tensions outside the
Parliament: SDSM left Macedonia without
Parliament, their supporters attacked
People’s Front”, Vecer, pg. 2)
ƒƒ United Front – which yesterday declared
itself to be non-partisan – cheered
names of the ruling party and Prime
Minister Nikola Gruevski. (“Opposition on
barricades, the police with batons”, TV
Alfa)
ƒƒ Honestly, this government must be
overthrown and VMRO-DPMNE must
come in power. All ministers are perfect.
(statement given by counter-protester from
People’s Front) (TV Telma, prime-time news
programme at 18:30 hours)
3) Conflicts in the
Parliament
ƒƒ Opposition counteracts ruling majority’s
attempt to adopt the budget without
completed debate on amendments at
competent committee on finance and
budget and legislative committee. (N.S.,
“Speaker Veljanovski ordered the police
to evict opposition and journalists from
the plenary hall: Budget adopted with
battering”, Vest, pg. 1, 2, and 3)
ƒƒ Opposition members claim they were not
given cards to enter the hall, and therefore
they did not allow MPs from VMRO-
DPMNE to enter either. (“MPs clash in the
Parliament”, TV Alsat M)
ƒƒ MPs who stayed overnight in the
Parliament, were unable to enter the
plenary hall because doors were locked
and – as they claim – they were not given
attendance and voting cards. (“2013
budget adopted with 64 votes ‘in favour’
and 4 votes ‘against’”, TV Kanal 5, primetime news programme)
ƒƒ On several occasions, opposition MPs
attempted to prevent budget adoption.
First, they blocked the entrance to plenary
hall, and later they occupied the speaking
podium. (headline announcement on TV 24
Vesti)
ƒƒ Then, opposition MPs, who claimed that
yesterday they were not given cards to
participate in the plenary session, blocked
the main entrance to the plenary hall in an
attempt to prevent their colleagues from
the ruling majority to enter the premises.
When the latter managed to enter the hall
on side entrances, the opposition rushed
into the hall and towards the speaking
podium, at which moment security officers
reacted and evacuated Veljanovski.
(Aleksandra M. Mitevska, “Opposition
leaves the Parliament and takes to the
streets”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Coup d’état. Parliament’s President, Trajko
Veljanovski, was attacked as soon as the
session started. Security officers saved
him from MPs who attacked. Then, his
chair was occupied by Goran Mincev, MP
from SDSM. (TV Sitel, prime-time news
programme at 19:00)
ƒƒ According to unofficial information from
the ruling majority, in the midst of clashes
that started just before 11:00 hours,
just as the plenary session was about to
start, Veljanovski was allegedly hit. That
morning, opposition MPs stated they were
not given electronic attendance cards and
accused Veljanovski of starting the session
without them. (TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Women MPs Vesna Bendevska and Biljana
Kazandziska were injured in the clashes
that occurred in the plenary hall after the
opposition did not allow start of plenary
session. (“Bendevska and Kazandziska
carried out”, Den, pg. 4)
ƒƒ By pushing people, breaking things and
uttering insults, the opposition attempted
to prevent start of plenary session
scheduled for budget voting. Parliament’s
President, Trajko Veljanovski, was attacked
by the opposition. MPs from SDSM went
on rampage in Hall 1; they stomped on
parliament equipment, and even climbed
the Speaker’s desk and chair, due to which
they were expelled by parliament security
officers. (J.C., “No dilemma, footage and
photos reveal that SDSM causes general
fight”, Vecer, pg. 3)
ƒƒ At one moment, MP from the opposition
took his [Parliament’s Speaker] seat. I
cannot comment on the idea behind such
action, but those whom I have managed to
061
talk to and the journalists here commented
that this is an attempt for coup d’état and
that nowhere in the world President of
Parliament has been directly attacked, in
particular because he is the second central
figure in Macedonian politics, after the
President of State. Any attack on President
of Parliament is practically a coup
d’état. (“Protests in support and against
parliament deadlock”, TV Sitel)
ƒƒ Minister of Interior, Gordana Jankulovska,
whom opposition members accuse of
causing a civil war, entered the hall later.
(“MPs clash in the Parliament”, TV Alsat M)
4) Forceful eviction of
journalists from the viewing
gallery
ƒƒ Opposition fears that an attempt is made
to evict journalists so special police
officers could enter the Parliament and
arrest opposition MPs or forcefully evict
them. (“Journalists sustain first attack, MPs
award them with ‘bravo!’”, Den, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Journalists expelled, removed from
parliament gallery (TV Telma, prime-time
news programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ Just minutes earlier, in a third attempt,
journalists were expelled by force from
the viewing gallery, as on previous two
attempts they refused to leave and not
observe what is happening in the hall.
According to the Rulebook on Internal
Order in the Parliament, an order for
parliament security service to take relevant
062
actions is issued by Speaker Trajko
Veljanovski. (TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Some journalists called out to MPs from
VMRO-DPMNE. They only stood and
watched; some of them even laughed,
while others were filming with cell phones
in order to have memorabilia. (S.K.D.,
“Journalists forcefully pushed outside the
parliament gallery”, Vest, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Security officers literally grabbed by waist
Toni Angelovski, journalist for Den, and
they pushed outside Naser Selmani,
journalist for Vest and President of the
Association of Journalists in Macedonia.
Special security officers who are
women were brought to grab and expel
women journalists from the hall.” (Meri
Jordanovska, “Journalist forcefully expelled
from the Parliament / Selmani: Any force
ends in infamy!”, Fokus, pg. 8)
ƒƒ At all costs, without respecting the Rules
of Procedure and the Constitution, and for
the purpose of budget adoption, “gorillas”
sent by Veljanovski first tugged and then
hauled journalists and cameramen from
the viewing gallery, in order to prevent
them to witness battering of opposition
MPs that followed later…” (Toni Angelovski,
“Fight for the money: Ruling authorities
battered MPs and journalists in order to
adopt 2013 budget”, Den, pg. 6 and 7)
ƒƒ Journalists, who observed events from
the viewing gallery, were dislocated to the
Press Centre. (J.C., “No dilemma, footage
and photos reveal that SDSM causes
general fight”, Vecer, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Opposition MPs applauded to encourage
journalists while police security officers
were expelling them from the gallery.
(photo caption) (N.S., “Speaker Veljanovski
ordered the police to evict opposition and
journalists from the plenary hall: Budget
adopted with battering”; Vest, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Independent Trade Union of Journalists
and Media Workers: “Closing the plenary
session for the public and forceful eviction
of reporting crews by the police means
they were prevented to perform their work
and professional engagement, and it also
means prohibition of truthful and objective
reporting on events that concern the
public.” (Fokus, pg. 9)
ƒƒ Police’s behaviour is despicable! Those
who issued the order for journalists to be
evicted by force from the parliament hall
have shown the true image of Macedonia
– said Naser Selmani, President of the
Association of Journalists in Macedonia,
following the action carried out by
parliament security officers to remove
journalists from the viewing gallery. (“Force
used against Fourth Estate”, Den, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Naser Selmani: “In most brutal manner,
parliament security service used force to
prevent us to perform reporting duties at
the plenary session scheduled for budget
adoption.” (“Journalists also evicted from
plenary hall”, TV Alfa)
ƒƒ Naser Selmani: “This is irresponsible
behaviour on the part of ruling authorities
in attempt to settle accounts with
journalists. Today they showed the true
image of Macedonia. Be that as it may,
I know that those who want to confront
journalists end in infamy.” (Suncica
Stojanovska-Zaksimovska, Goce Trpkovski,
“Party war for budget / VMRO-DPMNE:
Coup d’état prevented / Crvenkovski: As
long as I breathe, I will not withdraw”, Nova
Makedonija, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Naser Selmani: “This is ultimately
irresponsible behaviour on the part of
ruling authorities to settle accounts with
the media. Today, by giving the order
for journalists to be expelled, they send
worrying image for Macedonia in the world.
This is the truth about Macedonia.” (“2013
budget adopted with 65 votes ‘in favour’”,
TV 24 Vesti)
ƒƒ Yesterday, ruling authorities forcefully
expelled journalists from the viewing
gallery, in order to prevent them from
reporting how their gorillas are battering
and dragging MPs on the floor. This
fascistic regime physically removed all
neutral witnesses and thus inflicted
the greatest shame in the history of
independent Macedonia. They killed
Macedonian democracy.” (Branko Geroski,
“Well-Deserved Slap for Journalists”,
Fokus, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Association of Journalists in Macedonia
announces it will discontinue all
negotiations with the Government until
063
constitutional order is restored. (“AJM
announces termination of all negotiations
with Government”, TV 24 Vesti)
ƒƒ TV Telma, as highly professional and
independent reporting media, protests
against and condemns manner in which
journalists, or at least some of them, were
expelled from parliament gallery, and later
outside the Parliament. Movement of our
journalists in and outside the Parliament
was limited, from where – with great
difficulties – we reported on incidents.
Moreover, we were not allowed to set-up
live-feed link. (TV Telma, news programme)
ƒƒ Naser Selmani: “Association of Journalists
in Macedonia seriously condemns
today’s incident in the Parliament, where
journalists were forcefully expelled from
the viewing gallery from which they follow
plenary sessions. Such action amounts to
serious violation to the Constitution that
guarantees freedom of expression and
freedom of media. Issuers of orders for
this shameful act officialised censorship
and assumed the role of decision-makers
on what journalists can or cannot follow.
Forcefully expelled journalists did nothing
to cause such reaction on the part of
security officers. We were evicted so as
not to witness opposition MPs’ expulsion
from the plenary hall. This is a precedent
that must not go by unsanctioned.” (“AJM
announces termination of all negotiations
with Government”, TV 24 Vesti)
064
5) Forceful eviction of MPs
from the plenary hall
ƒƒ MPs were hauled and forcefully removed.
MPs Bendevska and Kazandziska were
injured. (TV Telma, prime-time news
programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ With special police forces in the plenary hall and parliament security officers
guarding the doors, opposition MPs were
expelled from the hall and were prevented
from returning inside. (“MPs were forcefully
expelled”, TV Telma, prime-time news programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ At least five opposition MPs are injured.
Journalists were hauled, pushed. Slaps
were exchanged. Such was today’s image in
the Parliament. Budget was tabled for voting. With all means available, opposition
counteracted its adoption. Ruling majority - assisted by police security ordered to
clear the terrain and the gallery - adopted
the budget at all costs. Such was the sight
in the plenary hall just minutes before the
budget debate: screams, shredded jackets and blouses. MPs being carried out in
those few minutes. (TV Alfa, prime-time
news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Speaking podium was covered with the national flag. In one word, there were no conditions to start the plenary session. It started after parliament security took necessary
measures. As for opposition’s complaints
that they were forcefully expelled from the
plenary hall, MOI issued a notification that
security services reacted on the request
from the President of Parliament, in compliance with the Law on Parliament. They took
measures to ensure conditions necessary
for holding the already scheduled session.
In that, security officers were verbally and
physically attacked by some MPs. MOI’s
notification reads: “In addition to being
subjected to insults and threats, security
officers were pushed and pulled by the
hair”. (MRT1, prime-time news programme
on the Public Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ ...MOI representatives claim that the
incident aggravated due to opposition’s
behaviour. Parliament security services
intervened in the hall, in order to enable
majority of MPs to perform duties the citizens have entrusted them. When performing their duties, police security members
were verbally and physically maltreated
by MPs from SDSM; they were threatened,
scratched on the faces and pulled by the
hair, and even spilled with yoghurt. However, they managed to restore the order in the
hall – reads MOI’s report on events in the
plenary hall which the pubic was unable to
see. (Katerina Neskova, Mariela Trajkovska,
“Serious incident in Parliament: Fist-fight
for and against budget adoption”, Dnevnik,
pg. 3)
ƒƒ Opposition MPs were removed from the
plenary hall in Parliament. This happened
in the presence of their colleagues from the
ruling majority, who passively observed the
act and did not demonstrate peer solidarity. (“Opposition MPs removed from Parliament in front of Jankulovska”, Den, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Battering, tugging, tears. This is how
security officers expelled opposition MPs
from the parliament hall. (“Opposition MPs
battered”, Den, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Situation culminated when journalists were
evicted from the gallery, after which special
security officers intervened to evict opposition MPs by force. (“Terrible day for Macedonian democracy”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Next step was speaking podium’s “liberation” from opposition MPs. In the hustle
that was created, injuries were inflicted on
MPs Marinela Tuseva and Radmila Sekerinska, where the latter was carried out of the
hall by her colleagues. MP Mitre Veljanovski collapsed. (Aleksandra M. Mitevska,
“Opposition leaves Parliament and takes to
the streets”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ After blocking the speaking podium for
several hours, opposition MPs – accompanied by security officers – left the plenary
hall and immediately afterwards the budget
was adopted. (J.C., “No dilemma, footage
and photos reveal that SDSM causes general fight”, Vecer, pg. 3)
ƒƒ As soon as journalists exited, police officers in civilian attire entered the plenary
hall. Screams, shouts, cries were heard
from inside, and – one by one – opposition
MPs started exiting. Some broke down in
tears; others had their jackets ragged; and
Igor Ivanovski rushed towards the parliament ambulance carrying Radmila Sekerinska who was in tears. Radmila was dragged
as rag on the floor, said her colleagues.
065
(S.K.D., “Opposition MPs flying like rags”,
Vest, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Ivo Kotevski: “MOI acts in compliance with
its jurisdiction and pursuant to the law.
Yesterday, MOI intervened in the Parliament on written request from the President
of Parliament, which read: ‘Pursuant to the
Law on Parliament and for the purpose of
creating conditions necessary for holding
the already scheduled session in the Parliament’”… He rejects opposition’s claims
that MOI’s policeman intervened. (S.K.D.,
“Intervention requested by Trajko Veljanovski”, Vest, pg. 3)
ƒƒ In the meantime, after they were expelled
from parliament hall and just before budget
adoption, opposition MPs joined their
supporters outside the Parliament. (Lepa
Gjorgievska, “Tense atmosphere on the
streets”, Dnevnik, pg. 2)
6) Breaking through the
cordon outside the Parliament
ƒƒ Outside the Parliament, Mayor of Strumica
Zoran Zaev announced that should parliament security attempt to evict MPs from
SDSM, the crowd will enter the building.
Nobody can stop us entering the building,
said Zaev. (Irena Cackova, “Outside the
Parliament, crowds confronted each other
with stones, apples and eggs / Crvenkovski: Gruevski wants to replace Slobodan
Milosevik”, Den, pg. 4 and 5)
ƒƒ Greatest incident occurred when information leaked that opposition MPs have been
066
067
removed from parliament hall by the police.
At that moment, SDSM’s leader Branko
Crvenkovski jumped the fences in order to
enter the Parliament. (D.D., “Outside the
Parliament, crowds fought one another”,
Vest, pg. 7)
ƒƒ Once Crvenkovski learned that MPs have
been forcefully expelled from the parliament hall, he jumped the barricades and,
followed by several thousand supporters,
headed towards Parliament building.
(“Terrible day for Macedonian democracy”,
Utrinski vesnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ At one moment, smaller group – led by
Crvenkovski – attempted to forcefully break
through the police cordons and prevent
functioning of democratically-elected state
institutions. Several people are injured.
(“Protests outside the Parliament”, MRT1,
prime-time news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ SDSM’s leader Branko Crvenkovski crossed
the barricade and headed towards the
opposing crowd. As opposition supporters
approached those supporting the ruling
authorities, police officers appeared from
all sides in attempt to prevent possible
encounter and clashes between the
crowds. (“Branko Crvenkovski on the
barricades”, Den, pg. 3)
ƒƒ People, led by the opposition, broke
through the cordons, but were prevented to
enter Parliament building by special force
officers and Rottweiler dogs. (“Government
068
brutally suspends Parliament: Murder of
democracy”, Fokus, pg. 1)
ƒƒ In aggravated clashes, policemen used
force, pulled out batons and battered
people in front rows, including Crvenkovski
himself, accompanied by his associates.
(Vlado Apostolov, “Outside the Parliament
opposition clashes with the police: Branko
receives couple of batons!”, Fokus, pg. 6)
ƒƒ Police used batons, primarily against
people in front rows where Crvenkovski
stood together with political party
leadership and leaders of other opposition
parties. (D.T., “Terrible day for Macedonian
democracy”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Police cordon prevented opposition
leaders to break through to other crowds,
which later celebrated budget’s adoption
on the city square Macedonia. (TV Telma,
prime-time news programme at 18:30
hours)
ƒƒ Situation remained apparently calmed
until 13:30 hours, when several hundred
opposition supporters broke through the
cordons and headed towards citizens
who support the government, located
near the Triumph Arch. This required fast
intervention on the part of numerous police
officers, and for the first time, the rapid
deployment unit was involved. Armed with
eggs, apples, stones and bottles, they
marched in retaliation, hitting policemen
and citizens, without choosing their target.
(“Tensions outside the Parliament: SDSM
leaves Macedonia without Parliament, their
supporters attack People’s Front on the
streets”, Vecer, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Jumping metal fences, Branko Crvenkovski
went after his own people as an
introduction into most direct and massive
clashes between citizens, that would be
followed up with government overthrow
by means of coup d’état. Realizing his
putsch is failing, he threatened with civil
disobedience, while his supporters left
him and joined the Front against B.C. (TV
Sitel, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ After the police managed to prevent them,
they [opposition supporters] wanted to
attack citizens from “Front for Macedonia”.
Police managed to prevent this attack as
well, and they - aware that they cannot
cause incidents - turned to journalists.
Fortunately, police officers restrained
Stevce Jakimovski, Mayor of Karpos, who
attacked me directly, first with vulgar
vocabulary and later with physical force.
(Aleksandar Spasovski, “Protests for and
against parliament deadlock”, TV Sitel,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
7) Budget voting and plenary
session’s continuation
ƒƒ Zoran Stavrevski: “Dear MPs, the proposed
budget will keep Republic of Macedonia’s
position among four least-indebted
countries in Europe, with moderate levels
of public and state debts, and will further
improve Macedonia’s international rating
and attractiveness for investment.” (“2013
state budget adopted with 65 votes ‘in
favour’”, TV 24 Vesti)
ƒƒ Zoran Stavrevski: “Main goal of 2013
state budget is to protect social stability
of citizens of the Republic of Macedonia
and support economic growth with capital
investments.” (“2013 budget adopted with
64 votes ‘in favour’ and 4 votes ‘against’”,
TV Kanal 5, prime-time news programme)
ƒƒ 71 MPs were not evicted from the plenary
hall, 65 of which voted ‘in favour’ and
4 voted ‘against’ [budget adoption]. As
MPs from the ruling majority applauded,
Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski
responded: “It is citizens of the Republic
of Macedonia who deserve the greatest
applause.” (“2013 budget adopted”, Den,
pg. 2)
ƒƒ State budget for next year is approved with
65 votes ‘in favour’ and 4 votes ‘against’.
Parliament adopted the general plan of
state treasury for 2013. Laws on increasing
pensions and social allowance were
also adopted. (MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service)
ƒƒ After twenty-day deadlock, 2013 budget
is adopted. In the presence of MPs from
the ruling majority, and opposition DPA
and NDP, with 65 votes ‘in favour’, 4
votes ‘against’ and no sustained votes,
MPs adopted the budget that will protect
069
social stability of citizens and will support
economic growth with capital investments.
(TV Kanal 5, prime-time news programme
at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ With 65 votes ‘in favour’ (A/N, screenshot
of parliament’s voting board reads 64),
4 votes ‘against’ and DPA present in the
hall, this afternoon, MPs adopted the 2013
budget. They also voted for increase of
pensions and social allowances by 5% as
of March next year. (TV Sitel, prime-time
news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Parliament adopted the Budget of the
Republic of Macedonia for 2013 with 65
MPs voting ‘in favour’. This is today’s
headline from the Parliament. Trajko
Veljanovski: “I hereby state that the
Parliament adopted the 2013 budget.
[applause] Thank you, thank you, thank
you… Everything we do, we do it for
citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. I
am firmly convinced in that. Anything else
is matter of chronicles on the Macedonian
parliamentary democracy.” (TV Alfa, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Budget was adopted within 35 minutes
and following one discussion. In the
plenary hall, opposition was represented
by MPs from DPA, who remarked that the
budget is anti-Albanian. (“Budget adopted:
No reason for anxiety, everything else is
SDSM’s responsibility”, Vecer, pg. 3)
ƒƒ After journalists were removed, an
operation was carried out to forcefully evict
opposition MPs from the plenary hall. For
070
the first time in history of independent and
sovereign Macedonia, the Parliament – in
the absence of opposition and journalists
– motioned vote for state budget. (“2013
budget adopted with 65 votes ‘in favour’”,
TV 24 Vesti)
8) Reports on injured persons
ƒƒ Yesterday by noon more than twenty
citizens injured in the midst of unrests
outside the Parliament requested medical
treatment at City Surgical Hospital “St.
Naum Ohridski”… Majority of injured
people suffered blows by stones and
other hard objects.” (Mence Atanasova –
Toci, “More than twenty people injured in
yesterday’s clashes: MPs Bendevska and
Kazandziska hospitalized”. Den, pg. 8)
ƒƒ In addition to opposition MPs, injuries
were inflicted on several protesters who
support the opposition. (E.A., “3 MPs in
hospital, 18 citizens injured”, Vest, pg. 5)
ƒƒ Aleksandar Caparovski, Director of the
Neurosurgical Hospital: “We kept MP
Bendevska for further treatment. She has
concussion and will be kept for another
day. If she feels better, we will release
her to home care.” (Irena Mulacka, “After
yesterday’s incidents in and outside the
Parliament: 18 citizens and 3 MPs injured”,
Fokus, pg. 11)
ƒƒ [MP] Bendevska is hospitalized at the
Clinic of Neurosurgery due to head injuries
and concussion, while [MP] Kazandziska
is at the Clinic for Abdominal Surgery due
to sustained blow in the stomach and
possible internal haemorrhage. (Mence
Atanasova – Toci, “More than twenty
people injured in yesterday’s clashes: MPs
Bendevska and Kazandziska hospitalized”,
Den, pg. 8)
ƒƒ That Vesna Bendevska did not sustain
any injuries, but was visibly upset and
received infusion was also determined
by doctors after they performed complete
examinations. They determined no injuries
to her leg or any other body part. Doctors
say she was given infusion because
she was upset. (“Bendevska simulates
injuries? How can SDSM’s women MPs
be injured when they were among their
colleagues!”, Vecer, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Biljana Kazandziska, MP from SDSM:
“Then I was stomped by MOI members. It
was them, because I did not see members
of parliament security doing such things,
only people brought from outside. I do
not think Jankulovska will take measures,
because she witnessed events in the
Parliament. She was in the first row and
cynically smiled.” (“Two women MPs in
hospital, several people injured”, TV Alfa)
ƒƒ Radmila Sekerinska: “When we refused
to leave the plenary hall, they literally
grabbed me and, if I were livestock,
dragged me on the floor and between
security’s feet, where I was kicked and
stomped. I am horrified with what I have
seen: security members, including women,
grabbed us by our arms and legs, threw
our shoes and pushed us under their feet,
so they could stomp on us. This cannot be
expected even in totalitarian countries.”
(“Two women MPs in hospital, several
people injured”, TV Alfa)
9) Protests in front of
SDSM’s headquarters
ƒƒ Protests in front of SDSM’s headquarters.
Dissatisfied citizens stand against the
political party from Bihacka [Street]. (MRT1,
prime-time news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ Otherwise, SDSM’s headquarters were
blocked and stoned. People who protested
did not allow anyone from the political
party to enter or exit the building. (TV
Telma, news programme)
ƒƒ Political intolerance culminated in front of
SDSM’s headquarters. Hundred members
of People’s Front attacked the party
building and broke the windows. Scattered
around were remains of eggs, glass and
stones. Police did not manage to prevent
political rivals’ close encounter. Opposition
accuses the police of failing to take action.
(“Physical clashes in front of SDSM’s
headquarters”, TV Alfa)
ƒƒ Around 11:30 hours, an incident occurred
in front of SDSM’s headquarters on
Bihacka Street, when an unidentified group
driving a jeep, attempted to break into the
front yard and almost run over few people
who protested in front of SDSM’s building
entrance… Fifty policemen, accompanied
by “Alfa” members managed to establish a
071
cordon and prevent incidents to escalate,
while government supporters blocked the
street and entrance to SDSM’s building.
(“Incidents on Bihacka Street”, Vecer, pg.
2)
ƒƒ Today, SDSM’s headquarters in Skopje
were stoned (“SDSM’s headquarters
attacked”, TV Alsat M, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ An incident occurred near SDSM’s
headquarters, when a group of protesters
started throwing eggs and stones. Several
women who were attacking the building
are injured. After SDSM’s security service
intervened, attackers were deferred from
entering the building. (“Incidents outside
SDSM’s headquarters”, TV 24 Vesti)
ƒƒ This is – how should I put it – effrontery
on the part of Crvenkovski. Why doesn’t
he leave us in power for once? (statement
given by person protesting outside
SDSM’s building) (MRT1, prime-time news
programme at the Public Broadcasting
Service)
10) Statements and reactions
of politicians, political
parties and the international
community
ƒƒ Andrej Zernovski: “We organized
protests. That is our democratic right
guaranteed under the Constitution… and
at this moment, stones are thrown in our
direction. This is how they understand
democracy. Regretful is the fact that,
072
in Macedonia, protests are organized
against the opposition. This scenario was
already seen in Serbia, during Slobodan
Milosevik’s rule, and its concept implies
people rising against the people. When
ruling authorities pursue such actions,
the government is responsible for the
consequences.” (“Tensions in and outside
the Parliament”, TV 24 Vesti)
ƒƒ Radmila Sekerinska, MP from SDSM:
“Later, it became clear why you
[journalists] needed to be expelled from
the viewing gallery, because immediately
afterwards, 50 people led by Jankulovska
and Stavreski bashed in the plenary hall;
they dragged, hit and stomped on us; they
battered women; they pushed and dragged
us on the floor; kicked us. This is the price
of having a dictatorship.” (“Sekerinska:
While we were battered, VMRO-DPMNE
applauded”, Den, pg. 7)
ƒƒ Radmila Sekerinska: “Parliament security
officers were not alone in doing this.
Obviously, they were assisted by people
with authorizations, as Minister of Interior
likes to call them. It seems Gordana
Jankulovska licenced them to batter.
Unknown is the number of those who were
also licenced to kill.” (“MPs injured”, TV
Telma)
ƒƒ Mile Kuzmanovski, MP from SDSM: “We
tried to sustain their attacks. Police are not
as guilty as those who issued the order to
have us battered.” (Toni Angelovski, “Fight
for the money: Government had MPs and
journalists battered to adopt state budget
for 2013”, Den, pg. 6 and 7)
ƒƒ Goran Misovski: “Opposition parties
united in the coalition “Union for the
Future” will raise criminal charges against
the President of Parliament, Trajko
Veljanovski, on the grounds of violating
Parliament’s Rules of Procedure. Such
actions are illegal and unconstitutional.”
(Iskra Opetceska, “Emergency budget
procedure could have prevented chaos in
Parliament”, Nova Makedonija, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Stojan Andov: “I cannot remember
anything like this to have happened in the
past. We have not lived through anything
of similar scope. Never did special
force members drag MPs and media
representatives out of the Parliament.
This is unseen and unheard of.” (“Stojan
Andov: I cannot remember anything like
this”, Fokus, pg. 7).
ƒƒ Stojan Andov: “Overall state-of-affairs
implies political crisis. Confusion rules
because of authorities’ non-transparent
actions. Obviously, people who protest
have been manipulated because they do
not have true information.” (Igor Caveski,
“In addition to local, budget will trigger
parliamentary face-offs: Political crisis will
bring early elections?” Den, pg. 9)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “As of today, Gruevski
decided and Macedonia got its Milosevik.
Today, journalists were battered; MPs were
battered; the people were battered. Today,
in a manner characteristic for the satrap
073
from Serbia, he [Gruevski] urged people
to attack one another desiring bloodshed,
conflict, confrontation. Well, Nikola, if
you want to be Milosevik, you will have
your 5th October.” (“Opposition leaves the
Parliament of Republic of Macedonia”, TV
24 Vesti)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “As long as I am
alive and kicking, I will continue and I will
not retreat from this battle. This is our
country; we were building and creating it,
and we are going to liberate it again. As of
tomorrow, we go all the way, unstoppably.”
(“Crvenkovski: We’ll liberate the country”,
Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “We are gathered in
defence of democracy, the Constitution,
in defence of the state and in defence of
everything that this government, with its
scenarios, wants to stomp on, after which
- in my opinion – there is no democracy
in Macedonia. Gruevski decided to
become Slobodan Milosevik. As part of
his scenario, he tries to urge the people
to attack one another and cause incidents
in the country. If Gruevski wants to be
Milosevik of Macedonia, he will have his
5th October.” (Irena Cackova, “Outside
the Parliament, crowds confronted each
other with stones, apples and eggs /
Crvenkovski: Gruevski wants to replace
Slobodan Milosevik”, Den, pg. 4 and 5)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “Today, Macedonia
does not have a Constitution; does not
have democracy; it is governed by a
074
dictatorship rule. General disobedience
and riots start tomorrow. We have major
and hard work ahead of us. We’ll fight
the fight and emerge as winners. This
is our country. Be on full alert; we start
tomorrow and cannot be stopped.”
(Tatjana Popovska, “Batons used to
prevent SDSM’s protesters to enter the
Parliament”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Igor Ivanovski, MP from SDSM: “While
we demand money for new jobs, they
count number of tenders and monuments.
We were not allowed to enter, because
embezzlers and scoundrels in power are
interested only in money. Same thieves
and fascists had to call the police to have
us removed from the Parliament. Although
they adopted the budget, today, the
entire world has its eyes on Macedonia.
As of today, we are no longer a state.
This building is the home of fascistic
hirelings.” (“SDSM is withdrawing from the
Parliament” (text in box), Den, pg. 7)
ƒƒ Igor Ivanovski: “We are not going back to
the Parliament; the Parliament does not
exist anymore. We do not acknowledge this
Parliament. Victory will be achieved as the
partisans back in 1945.” (“Terrible day for
Macedonian democracy”, Utrinski vesnik,
pg. 2)
ƒƒ Macedonia is not a state anymore. It was
destroyed by fascistic and crime-prone MPs
led by Milosevik of Macedonia, i.e., Nikola
Gruevski, said Branko Crvenkovski and
called to civil disobedience. VMRO-DPMNE
and Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski,
immediately issued counter-statement.
They say state institutions prevented
opposition’s attempt to stage a coup d’état
and overthrow the legitimately-elected
government. (TV Alsat M, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours,)
ƒƒ VMRO-DPMNE: “Crvenkovski’s coup d’état
was unsuccessful and will continue to fail
because reason always wins.” (“VMRODPMNE: Coup d’état fails”, Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ VMRO-DPMNE: “This is an ultimate
attempt to save Crvenkovski’s personal
career, as well as carriers of a handful
of politicians, his close associates, who
struggle for power and personal gains...
Attack on the Parliament is an attack on
the citizens. Citizens do not deserve to be
treated in such manner. We all share the
responsibility for our future. We’ll stay on
people’s side; in defence of the legal order,
laws and institutions. We’ll stay on the
right side.” (“VMRO-DPMNE: Attempt for
coup d’état prevented”, Utrinski vesnik, pg.
3)
ƒƒ Just minutes ago, in his direct address to
the nation, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski
said he would not succumb to pressures
and, as he put it, Branko Crvenkovski’s
transition tricks. He accused SDSM’s
leader, together with three thousands
supporters, of attempting a coup d’état.
(headline announcement on MRT1, primetime news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ Nikola Gruevski: “Today, Branko
Crvenkovski, together with around
three thousand supporters, wanted to
overthrow the government. Today, Branko
Crvenkovski was confronted by the people.
Divided in two groups, there were at least
three times more people who came out to
confront him. Branko faced the power of
people. In a democratic state, that is how
matters develop when somebody attempts
to come in power by means of violence and
without winning the support of majority
citizens at free and democratic elections.
Dear citizens, political overthrow happens
only in states where mafia is stronger than
the ruling authorities, in spite of people’s
support. Macedonia is not among such
states. Macedonia is free and democratic
state. Its government is elected on free
and democratic elections. Macedonia
has functioning institutions supported by
majority of citizens.” (excerpt from Prime
Minister’s address to the nation aired on
MRT1, prime-time news programme on the
Public Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ Nikola Gruevski: “Having in mind
that Branko Crvenkovski announced
continuation of his defeating scenario, I
would like to stress that we are prepared
for all scenarios, in order to protect
citizens’ interests and protect the
Constitution and laws. Politicians from
the era of Gaddafi, like Crvenkovski, for
example, will have their political demise
and become history.” (Prime Minister’s
address to the nation, TV Alfa)
ƒƒ United States of America call the political
parties to terminate all provocations and
075
respect the laws, the Constitution and
principles adopted by the Parliament. (TV
Alsat M, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ European Union reacts: All confrontations
must stop (Dnevnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ U.S. worried: Aggressive and provoking
actions must stop (Dnevnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ EU and USA called to reason and
discontinuation of tensions. Peaceful
expression of different opinions is the
fundament of any strong and democratic
state – is the advice from Brussels and
Washington. (MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service)
11) Statements and reactions
of experts and columnists
ƒƒ Experts for TV Sitel: “Budget is adopted
regularly. All possible efforts were made
to overcome the deadlock situation
the opposition wanted to plunge the
country into.” (TV Sitel, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Stevo Pendarovski: “In this heated
situation, the international community can
assume the mediator’s role. Another way
out of this situation is to activate entire
in-country political capacity and the ruling
authorities should initiate communication
with the opposition.” (Naum Kotevski,
“Government and opposition must sit at
same table”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 1)
076
ƒƒ Zvonimir Jankulovski: “Fundamental
differences are discussed in the
institutions. Streets are not the proper
place for resolving problems. In the
past, current opposition was against
street-based mechanism for overcoming
differences.” (Naum Kotevski,
“Government and opposition must sit at
same table”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Tanja Karakamiseva-Jovanovska:
“President of Parliament should have
reacted much earlier and the Law on
Budget should have been adopted in
fast-track procedure, in particular because
aggravation of events could be easily
predicted. Speaker Veljanovski is entitled
to taking such actions, especially in
situations where budget’s non-adoption
may cause serious distortions in economy,
or other, long-term consequences for
state’s regular functioning.” (Iskra
Opetceska, “Fast-track budget adoption
procedure could have prevented chaos in
the Parliament”, Nova Makedonija, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Mirjana Najcevska: “Last crumb of
democracy that used to exist in Macedonia
was swept away. Today, we must declare
war against VMRO-DPMNE’s dictator and
dictatorship clique. Today, resolution
of matters went beyond institutions
and people are entitled to rebel against
usurpers of power. At the moment, anarchy
rules in Macedonia, and will continue
to rule until citizens restore their state
power.” (“Mirjana Najcevska: VMRODPMNE staged a coup d’état”, Fokus, pg. 8)
ƒƒ Uranija Pirovska, Helsinki Committee: “I
have to say, I am seriously worried with
today’s events. My worries do not concern
only developments on street protest
and police’s behaviour, but also events
that I witnessed inside the Parliament of
Republic of Macedonia after I was informed
that opposition MPs were allegedly
expelled from the plenary hall by force.
Namely, I managed to enter the Parliament,
but was not allowed in the plenary hall,
although I insisted and indicated that
the Helsinki Committee was there in
the capacity of human rights observer.
Nevertheless, I saw two injured MPs being
carried out. Atmosphere bordered with
absolute hysteria and opposition MPs
claimed they were attacked by special
police officers, i.e., force was used to evict
them from parliament hall. Also, outside
the Parliament, with my own eyes I saw the
police exerting physical force over citizens,
who allegedly broke away from the crowd.”
(TV Telma, news programme)
ƒƒ Jove Kekenovski: “Where is the President
of State to pour oil on troubled waters
amidst this madness created by both,
ruling authorities and opposition? His
task is to ease tensions among the nation,
prevent people to fight one another for
the benefit of political parties. Who will
be held accountable in case of aggravated
incidents? At times like these, when we
are on the brink of civil war, the President
of State cannot be in hiding.” (“Jove
Kekenovski: Where is President of State?”,
Fokus, pg. 7)
ƒƒ My dear readers, we are about to witness
street clashes between crowds organized
by the opposition and by the ruling
authorities and full-blown deadlock in the
Parliament, as there are attempts to have
the budget, but other legislative acts as
well, adopted by force. Protests – when
pursued ardently – would weight in favour
of the opposition and generally in favour
of change, because nothing else can
deliver the country from crisis. (Ljubomir
D. Frckovski, “Nicolae and His Puppets”
(column), Fokus, pg. 17)
ƒƒ Biljana Vankovska, university professor:
“Tragic is the sight of politicians and their
party soldiers willing to sink the ship, but
emerge as winners. Citizens would be taken
collateral to such actions.” (Branko Gjorgjevski, “Budget crisis must not paralyze
society: We need taming of passions, not
riots”, Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Zidas Daskalovski, political analyst: “If
these iniquitous times bring an end to
non-democratic rule pursued by the two
biggest political parties, we can even benefit from lessons learned. Citizens of this
country do not want civil wars or conflicts
and they can easily pinpoint guilt for current state-of-affairs.” (Branko Gjorgjevski,
“Budget crisis must not paralyze society:
We need taming of passions, not riots”,
Dnevnik, pg. 3)
077
ƒƒ Stojan Kuzev, professor of crisis management: “Reasons behind the current situation should be sought among leaders of
political blocks; first and foremost among
opposition leaders. Unfortunately, the
opposition had obvious intentions and
scenarios to create crisis.” (Branko Gjorgjevski, “Budget crisis must not paralyze
society: We need taming of passions, not
riots”, Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Ilija Aceski, sociologist: “SDSM learned too
late that in societies like ours, election victory is won by populism and nationalism.
Once all institutional means were exhausted, the only option left is bring people
out on the streets. Budget can only be the
trigger, not the actual reason.” (Branko
Gjorgjevski, Budget crisis must not paralyze
society: We need taming of passions, not
riots”, Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Tatjana Stojanovska Ivanova, university
professor: “...to have journalism suspended, to have the Fourth Estate suspended,
although it acts as check-and-balance to
structures in power, implies destruction
of democracy.” (“Experts: Politicians are
abusing the people”, TV 24 Vesti)
ƒƒ Tatjana Karakamiseva Jovanovska: “Opposition has the legitimate right to impose
its views and hold certain opinion on all
issues debated and adopted by the Parliament. There is nothing disputable about
that. However, on the other hand, the
government, i.e., the ruling majority, also
has the legitimate right to find mechanisms
for implementing solutions it has defined
078
in its agenda.” (“Karakamiseva: Current
events are part of opposition’s scenario”,
TV 24 Vesti)
ƒƒ Tanja Karakamiseva, university professor
of constitutional law: “Let me first congratulate the people, citizens of the Republic
of Macedonia, for succeeding to prevent
realization of ideas for violent destruction
of democratic order (not overthrow of ruling
authorities). Also, citizens deserve commendation for finding sense and reason
and realizing that street-based violence
does not lead anywhere and that matters
must be resolved in democratic manners
and by using democratic mechanisms.”
(live interview for MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service)
ƒƒ Tanja Karakamiseva, university professor
of constitutional law: “...according to the
Rules of Procedure, they [MPs] had five
more working days to discuss the new
draft budget, which means that opposition
could present its opinion and views on the
budget within these five days. However,
that did not happen. Instead, opposition
left the Parliament.” (live interview for
MRT1, prime-time news programme on the
Public Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ Mirka Velinovska: “Everybody knows what
the ultimate goal was: to create a political
ambience or political elite in Macedonia
that would be prone to accepting ultimatums, not only those made by Greece,
but also ultimatums designed by certain
circles of power in the EU and concerning
the change of our constitutional name and
re-arranging the ethnos of Macedonia.”
(MRT1, prime-time news programme on the
Public Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ Kim Mehmeti: “In my opinion, final solution would be to establish democracy in
this country, to depoliticize it. This state
cannot be owned by VMRO-DPMNE and
DUI, but only by citizens who are entitled to
universal suffrage. This is the final solution
I favour, more so, knowing that we will
either find a solution to this situation or
we will endure dictatorship. Recent events
resemble the rule of Milosevik, don’t you
think? Name one state worldwide where
protests are organized in front of opposition’s headquarters. Does such state exist?
No. Such things happen in our state only.”
(“Mehmeti: If opposition succumbs to
pressures, dictatorship rule will continue
for long years”, TV 24 Vesti)
ƒƒ At times of prolonged tensions in the
Parliament, protests and demands for
faster adoption of state budget organized
by farmers, pensioners and artists, some
economists comment that budget adoption
within the legally stipulated deadline is
an outcome that would be of great importance for domestic economy. Otherwise,
the state would not be able to function. It
is as if you have money, but the bank does
not allow you to use them. Without having
the budget adopted, the state could have
faced lower credit ratings. However, a much
better option is to have the budget adopted with political consensus - says Mihail
Petkovski, university professor. (Aleksandra
Tomik, “State budget adopted in tense
atmosphere”, Dnevnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ If government continues to pursue its
approach to budget adoption, it would
endanger the functioning of Macedonia’s
democratic system.” (Slobodan Najdovski,
“New Macedonian Divisions”, Utrinski
vesnik, pg.13)
ƒƒ Biljana Vankovska: “What we see is a
hideous and devastating image of fights
between ‘ours’ and ‘yours’ [people];
competition in bringing on the streets as
many party soldiers as possible... Never in
their history did Macedonians raise a hand
against each other (except when they were
forcefully mobilized by foreign armies, almost hundred years ago), but today - when
they have a state – they allow civil conflict
to occur. I can only say that this is neither
democracy nor can democracy be sought
on the streets.” (“Biljana Vankovska: Democracy cannot be sought on the streets!”
Vecer, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Vladimir Bozinovski: “It’s the same scenario from two years ago, with the exception
that back then it was TV A1 in the focus
of attention, and not the budget, I expect
same to happen when Electoral Code is on
the voting agenda. Otherwise, carnivals of
this type and scope are not organized only
for the benefit of state budget debates. This
is a well-known method regularly used by
SDSM. In order to establish cohesion within
the party, they need an external enemy.”
(“Vladimir Bozinovski: This is Branko’s final
079
attempt to keep his leadership position!”
Vecer, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Social Party of Macedonia: “Unable to
improve party’s low ratings and to accept
almost certain defeat on upcoming local
elections, they [SDSM] decide to sacrifice
the nation and plunge the state in chaos.”
(“SPM: Chaos caused by opposition is
undemocratic and beyond the rule of law”,
Vecer, pg. 4)
12) Media headlines,
descriptions and comments
ƒƒ Evening news headline. Situation in Macedonia calms down after opposition’s
attempt to incite the most violent people-to-people clashes, preceded by ten-day
budget deadlock, only for the purpose of
gaining political points. (headline announcement on TV Sitel)
ƒƒ Situation outside the Parliament subsides.
Speaker Veljanovski attacked. Ruling party
assesses that coup d’état was prevented.
Outside the Parliament, direct clashes
avoided between opposition supporters
and People’s Front that supports the ruling
authorities. At one moment, protesters –
led by Crvenkovski – broke through the
police cordons. (“Police prevents aggravated incidents”, MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service)
ƒƒ Trajko Veljanovski: “I hereby declare that
the Parliament adopted the Budget of
Republic of Macedonia for 2013.” Citizens
080
will have their budget. Pensioners, redundant workers and farmers can rest assured.
Opposition’s intention to destroy the
institutions was unsuccessful. Violations
made to five provisions of the Constitution.
Veljanovski attacked. Women MPs pulled
parliament security officers by the hair. (TV
Kanal 5, prime-time news programme at
19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Incidents. Fights. Tensions. In such atmosphere and in opposition’s absence, as it
was removed from the parliament hall,
state budget for next year was adopted. (TV
Alfa, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Opposition MPs and journalists removed by
parliament security officers. Ruling majority votes budget adoption alone. Trajko
Veljanovski: “I hereby declare that the
Parliament adopted the budget for 2013.”
Outside the Parliament, clashes between
opposition and pro-government groups.
At least 18 persons injured. In experts’
opinion, manipulating people for own gains
is beyond any sense. Events in Macedonia
make the headlines of Balkan and global
media. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Opposition announces it leaves the Parliament and calls to civil disobedience,
because following its eviction, MPs from
the ruling majority adopted 2013 budget in
fast-track procedure. (TV Telma, prime-time
news programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ Chaos. Protests and incidents in front of
the Parliament. Parliamentary majority, as-
sisted by parliament security service, manages to adopt the budget, after opposition
MPs were forcefully evicted from the hall.
(TV Alsat M, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Opposition will boycott Parliament’s work.
Crvenkovski announces general civil disobedience, VMRO-DPMNE responds a coup
d’état was prevented. (Suncica Stojanovska-Zaksimovska, Goce Trpkovski, “Party
war for the budget / VMRO-DPMNE: Coup
d’état prevented / Crvenkovski: As long as
I breathe, I will not withdraw”, Nova Makedonija, pg. 1)
ƒƒ First journalists and opposition MPs were
forcefully evicted from the plenary hall and
then the ruling majority expressly adopted
the budget. (“Authorities brutally suspend
the Parliament: Murder of democracy”,
Fokus, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Dozen MPs injured, three of them hospitalized: Fights for the budget (“Opposition
calls to civil disobedience”, Den, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Budget adopted: no reason for anxiety,
everything else is SDSM’s responsibility
(Vecer, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Calls to general riots cannot result in a civil
conflict of greater scope; they are intended
for party mobilization. We need unity and
tamed passions – stresses Gjorgi Tonovski,
university professor. (Branko Gjorgjevski,
“Budget crisis must not paralyze society:
We need taming of passions, not riots”,
Dnevnik, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Instead of using words and dialogue, for
which they were elected, some MPs were
breaking the speaking podium. Security
officers had to protect the President of Parliament. Women MPs from the opposition
were also injured. Police had to intervene
in the highest democratic institution in
Macedonia. Evicting activities taken against
MPs who frivolously occupied the speaking
podium and deprived the colleagues of
their right to debate and hold the plenary
session... No room for self-appraisal when
the blow intended for political opponents
also implies a blow to entire Macedonia.
(Antonio Spasev, Editor’s Note, “Reason
Must Prevail”, Dnevnik, pg. 11)
ƒƒ Authorities hold the baton and demonstrate preparedness to use it (Mladen
Cadikovski, “It’s About Macedonia!” Fokus,
pg. 2)
ƒƒ In VMRO-DPMNE’s opinion, this was opposition’s attempt to stage a coup d’état that
the institutions prevented. SDSM announces general rebellion and withdrawal from
the Parliament... Opposition MPs tried to
remove Speaker Trajko Veljanovski from his
post, and were therefore evicted from the
plenary hall by parliament security. (Katerina Neskova, Mariela Trajkovska, “Serious
incident in the Parliament: Fist-fight for and
against budget adoption”, Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ In the absence of media representatives
and the opposition, ruling majority adopted the budget for 2013, once parliament
security officers, assisted by external police
squad, forcefully evicted journalists and
081
roughly tugged opposition MPs from the
plenary hall. (Vlatko Stojanovski, “Chaos, screams and fights in the Parliament:
Parliament hijacked, budget smuggled”,
Fokus, pg. 4.)
ƒƒ Protests outside the Parliament, followed
by incidents, tensions and gloomy atmosphere, resulting in several citizens being
injured were of no interest for leading TV
outlets in Macedonia. (Miroslava Simonovska, “Wake up MTV, protests on the
streets!” Fokus, pg. 9)
ƒƒ Two years ago, the “Egyptian Spring” started in similar manner: one group on one
side, other group on the other side, throwing stones and bottles over the dividing
fence... It continued with casualties tallied
in thousands and is still in progress. How
long will our “Budget Winter” last?” (Stojan
Sinadinov, “Occupation in 24/7 images”,
Den, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, points to
the opposition’s leader as the main culprit,
claiming that Crvenkovski’s vanity is the
reason for the deadlock. SDSM’s leader
Branko Crvenkovski advised Gruevski that
he would have his 5th October. He compared him to Milosevik and predicted him
Milosevik’s demise. Both of them act in
manner unbefitting a politician who should
lead the country into the new era of political, economic, technological and general
developmental. (Gordana Duvnjak, “Problems to be Resolved within Institutions”,
Utrinski vesnik, pg. 12)
082
ƒƒ Dictatorship shows its bull horns. Fearinstilling government shows the regime’s
ugly face: police terror, battered citizens,
and some say, battered opposition’s
leader, who is former President of State
and Prime Minister [Branko Crvenkovski].
VMRO’s government demonstrated
unprecedented brutality towards political
opponents. Budget of the Republic of
Macedonia was adopted by force, in
unconstitutional and unlawful manner.
Opposition MPs were forcefully removed
from the plenary hall. MP Radmila
Sekerinska was humiliatingly dragged
on the floor. Under threats, journalists
were expelled from their job posts in the
viewing gallery, so they would not witness
regime’s deceit and violence. Prime
Minister and VMRO-DPMNE’s leader, Nikola
Gruevski, accepted the role of a dictator
and suspended the Parliament and the
Constitution. (Erol Rizaov, “Dictatorship
Shows its Horns”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 6)
25th December 2012
(The Day-After)
ƒƒ This section includes TV news programmes
aired on 25.12.2012 and newspaper
articles published on 26.12.2012
ƒƒ Opposition pursues extra-institutional
campaign. It will not participate in
elections organized by Gruevski’s
government. Budget is illegitimate. When
it decided to tug MPs, the ruling majority
suspended democracy - experts say.
MOI accuses MPs from SDSM of causing
the incident in Parliament. Everybody
washes its hands clean of the scandal with
journalists’ eviction. (TV 24 Vesti, primetime news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Women MPs from SDSM, who ended up
in hospital after yesterday’s events, are
discharged to home care. They announce
filing of criminal charges against Trajko
Veljanovski. The police say opposition is
responsible for incidents in the plenary
hall. Some MPs from the ruling majority
condemn violence exerted on fellow
MPs pushed outside the hall. As of this
evening, opposition will stage roadblocks
in capital’s downtown area and on key
intersections in other towns. On Saturday,
mass protest will be organized in front of
VMRO-DPMNE’s headquarters. (TV Alfa,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Cabinet of the President of Parliament
issues a statement justifying actions taken
by security services, in that referring to
Article 43 of the Law on Parliament, which
stipulates that the Parliament Speaker
is entitled to approve measures against
MPs, some of which– after police’s actions
– ended up in hospital. (“Opposition to
file criminal charges against Veljanovski,
women MPs discharged from hospital”, TV
Alfa, news programme at 22:00 hours)
ƒƒ [MPs] Biljana Kazandziska and Vesna
Bendevska are discharged to home
care. “One security officer pushed me
on the floor: I fell and hit my head on the
pedestal. What’s even worse, he intended
to stomp on me and stepped on my foot.
My colleague Mitre Veljanovski saved
me...”– says Bendevska. Opposition
identified 44 people who, they say,
were not employees of parliament
security. (“Opposition to file criminal
charges against Veljanovski, women MPs
discharged from hospital”, TV Alfa, news
programme)
ƒƒ Ermira Mehmeti: “Security officers in the
Parliament took violent, forceful actions
that must be condemned, regardless of
underlying reasons...” Vesna Bendevska:
“Their [MPs from ruling majority] silent
observation and non-interference
makes them direct accomplices and
therefore I no longer consider them as my
colleagues. They did not show an ounce
of humanity.” (“Opposition to file criminal
charges against Veljanovski, women MPs
discharged from hospital”, TV Alfa, news
programme)
ƒƒ Journalists were not forcefully removed
from the parliament gallery. They were
asked to leave the premises from where
they observed plenary sessions, but
resisted. This is the official position of the
Parliament, which Marjan Madzovski, Chief
of the Cabinet of Parliament’s President,
Trajko Veljanovski, communicated by
phone on the matter of journalists’ eviction
from the viewing gallery. (“Gruevski
refers to Veljanovski for explanation
083
084
about journalists’ eviction”, TV Alfa, news
programme)
ƒƒ Naser Selmani: “According to Article 70 of
the Constitution, the Parliament decides
in public sessions. Limiting access or
closing plenary sessions for the public is
possible only by means of a decision taken
by Parliament with two-third majority votes
from all MPs. In this case, such decision
was not taken. Claims that the plenary
session was in recess are untrue, because
we [journalists] did not hear the Speaker
closing the session or issuing recess... If
the Parliament Speaker has not issued
an order, then somebody from outside
is ordaining matters in the Parliament,
which amounts to precedent.” (“Gruevski
refers to Veljanovski for explanation
about journalists’ eviction”, TV Alfa, news
programme)
ƒƒ Nikola Gruevski: “As I said, I regret
the unfortunate event [journalists’
eviction]. Probably, in the chaos created,
an assessment was made which, in
my opinion, should not have been
made. However, somebody made such
assessment, and events unfolded. One
should address the Parliament [for
more information]. I hope our pleas will
be understood and dialogue between
competent parliament services and
journalists will be established. Again,
I regret the event.” (“Gruevski refers
to Veljanovski for explanation about
journalists’ eviction”, TV Alfa, news
programme)
ƒƒ Mirjana Najcevska: “In terms of Internetbased communications, such actions
might include blocking state institution’s
websites, hacking into state computers,
preventing information exchange between
state institutions. It might even imply
physical block of state buildings. For
instance, people may form a human shield
in front of the Parliament and prevent MPs’
entrance or exit.” (“Civil disobedience is
any form of disapproving state actions”, TV
Alfa, news programme)
ƒƒ Nikola Gruevski: “He [Branko Crvenkovski]
continues to act in Gaddafi style. He
continues to live in his own bubble, with
serious dose of altruism, in a private world
where he believes the entire nation is
behind him and supports his intentions
to come in power by force.” (“Gruevski
considers Crvenkovski to be Gaddafi,
DUI appeals to reason”, TV Alfa, news
programme)
ƒƒ Opposition stages roadblocks. It is the
people and not the police that brings
or removes somebody from power, MPs
advise. Party leaders say they cannot recall
violence of this kind to have happened in
the past. (TV Alsat M, news programme)
ƒƒ Totalitarian regime must be overthrown,
says SDSM’s leader. Prime Minister
responds that Crvenkovski has
pathological desire to be in power at all
costs. (TV Alsat M, news programme)
ƒƒ Vankovska and Misini assess events in
Parliament situation as major disgrace
to democracy. Ramadan and Jasari share
085
the opinion that Albanian parties are part
of VMRO-DPMNE’s scenario. (TV Alsat M,
news programme)
ƒƒ Tito Petkovski: “We are not afraid, despite
being thrown out of the Parliament. We can
send our messages from here [the streets]
and in direct contacts with people, as we
are doing tonight. We will continue to fight
until the government falls.” (TV Alsat M,
news programme)
ƒƒ Ivon Velickovski: “We are not going
to allow to have the mandate we have
been entrusted with by citizens be taken
away by the police. We are not going to
allow ministers to toy around with the
Parliament.” (TV Alsat M, news programme)
ƒƒ Ljubco Georgievski: “Those running VMRODPMNE today defy the basic principles of
democracy. I have been indicating this
for years now, and I regret the fact that
nowadays their defiance culminated in
such brutal manner before the eyes of
entire Macedonia.” (TV Alsat M, news
programme)
ƒƒ Andrej Zernovski: “A regime cannot last
for long. No regime has ruled entirely and
for long. Of course, there are regimes that
differ in the manner of rule. What they
have in common is the fact that they end in
same manner, i.e., they are overthrown by
the people.” (TV Alsat M, news programme)
ƒƒ Biljana Vankovska: “Treatment of MPs
was the worst... Involvement of parliament
security officers, whose job is to prevent
fights and criminal acts, made them
086
accomplices in maltreatment of MPs.
I cannot imagine MPs being treated in
undignified manner, women MPs in
particular. I cannot imagine [former] Deputy
Prime Minister being dragged on the floor.
Of course, you [journalists] must vigorously
react to the treatment you were subjected
to... Fact is that Macedonia enters deep
and serious political crisis.” (TV Alsat M,
news programme)
ƒƒ Suad Misini: “For years now, we
continuously warned that the state is held
captive. Therefore, yesterday’s events are
just the summit of ruling methods applied
by the coalition in power... Violations to
the Constitution and laws, violations to
procedures are modus vivendi of the ruling
majority... On the other hand, for the first
time, we see an opposition - SDSM in this
case – that finds its cause in pursuing
actions that should and could not be any
different.” (TV Alsat M, news programme)
ƒƒ Branko wants to come in power by force.
He re-enacts Gaddafi. (“Gruevski: Branko
re-enacts Gaddafi” (screen caption), TV
Kanal 5, prime-time news programme at
19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Yet another of Crvenkovski’s battles
outside the Parliament, featuring protests
and roadblocks. Ivanov: politicians should
not be perceived as enemies. Ahmeti to
Crvenkovski: tensions should be eased.
(TV Kanal 5, prime-time news programme
at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “We will organize
and support all kinds of protests, rallies,
roadblocks and blocking of buildings.
On Saturday, at 12:00 hours, we will
organize a protest in front of VMRODPMNE’s headquarters in Skopje. Ultimate
goal of all future efforts is to restore the
constitutional order and democracy in
Republic of Macedonia. To that end, this
totalitarian regime must be overthrown.”
(TV Kanal 5, prime-time news programme
at 18:15 hours)
ƒƒ Trajko Veljanovski: “Actually, SDSM
sacrifices the Parliament for the benefit of
party showdown.” (“Veljanoski: Law and
order must be respected, the state must
function”, TV Kanal 5)
ƒƒ Nikola Gruevski: “He [Branko Crvenkovski]
openly admits his firm determination
to come in power by means of violence,
use of physical force, battering, just as
he showed yesterday, when he headed
towards pensioners, farmers, students
and those gathered on the other side...
An attack was made on the institution,
not just on Trajko Veljanovski in personal
capacity. The institution of President
of Parliament was attacked. Institution
was sieged. If it weren’t for parliament
security, President of Parliament’s life
would have been endangered. With major
difficulties, parliament security officers
evacuated the President of Parliament from
the plenary hall, and the Parliament was
sieged. MPs from SDSM started climbing
tables, jumping, bouncing, plugging out
microphones; they even sat in Speaker’s
chair. In symbolic terms, they wanted
to demonstrate forceful siege of the
Parliament of Republic of Macedonia.”
(“Gruevski: Branko re-enacts Gaddafi”, TV
Kanal 5, prime-time news programme at
18:15 hours)
ƒƒ President Ivanov appeals for calming down
tensions. He said it is unacceptable for
people in Macedonia to witness violence
targeted at and exerted within democratic
institutions and the constitutional order,
as the country enters the third decade of
its independence. Head of State regrets
unfortunate events and hopes they would
not be repeated. Ali Ahmeti also called
for calming of tensions. (MRT1, primetime news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ According to Prime Minister Gruevski,
SDSM’s leader behaves like Gaddafi.
He claims that when Crvenkovski was
in power, taxes were not collected, but
today laws are respected. Opposition’s
leader responds with announcement of
street protests throughout the country
and boycott of Parliament. (MRT1, primetime news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service)
ƒƒ MPs belong in the Parliament, not on
the streets - political analysts advise.
Everybody is against Parliament’s boycott.
Citizens have not elected them [MPs]
to stage riots. (MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service)
087
ƒƒ Security officers removed those who
disturbed the order on the plenary session.
Then, according to previously agreed
scenario, Crvenkovski and his supporters
broke through the cordons and tried to
cause chaos. Instead of heading towards
the Parliament building, they launched
against People’s Front, in order to confront
citizens gathered. Thanks to reasonable
actions taken by the police, possible
incidents were prevented. Once the budget
was adopted, citizens withdrew from
their positions. (“Analysis: Opposition’s
scenario started in the Parliament”, TV
Sitel, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Footage from security cameras in the
Parliament show misconduct, threats to
fellow MPs, attempts to start physical
fights and, what is most scandalous,
physical attack on the President of
Parliament. Moreover, they show that MP
Radmila Sekerinska, who complained
about being injured, consciously provoked
security officers. By occupying Veljanoski’s
post, Sekerinska tried to disturb normal
operation in the Parliament. Warnings of
security officers were to no avail. (“MOI:
Parliament was attacked”, TV Sitel, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ SDSM’s leader Crvenkovski unleashed
physical force against his own nation.
Crvenkovski decided to fight with more
than 10,000 Macedonians, only because
they don’t share his opinion. Opposition’s
justifications that they wanted to enter the
088
Parliament building hold no relevance,
in particular because legislative house’s
entrance is in different direction from
the one they took in order to physically
confront citizens, and journalists. (“MOI:
Parliament was attacked”, TV Sitel, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Citizens expect solutions, not problems.
Solutions can only be sought within state
institutions. Ivanov calls to realization of
political interests in the institutions. (TV
Sitel, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ SDSM decides to leave the institutions.
Civil disobedience and roadblocks are
main features of Crvenkovski’s new
scenario. (TV Sitel, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Crvenkovski behaves as if he were Gaddafi.
He wants to come in power by violence.
In the opinion of Prime Minister, Nikola
Gruevski, Crvenkovski’s behaviour is
detrimental to state interests. (TV Sitel,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Footage from security cameras in the
Parliament foils any attempt to manipulate
the truth. SDSM launched an attack on
President of Parliament, MOI confirms. (TV
Sitel, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Opposition starts blocking the streets,
crossroads and highways, and according
to SDSM’s leader Crvenkovski, it will join
other protests in the state. (TV Telma,
prime-time news programme at 18:30
hours)
ƒƒ I would not be surprised if they raise
criminal charges against me on the ground
of attempting a coup d’état, says SDSM’s
leader: They can do what they please.
I am here. They know where I live and
where I work. This is how he interprets
Prime Minister Gruevski’s message that
politicians from the era of Gaddafi are
doomed to infamy: “For seven years now,
I am advised that my carrier will end.
For seven years now, I am hearing about
Nikola Gruevski’s dreams to have my
political carrier ended. Longer he dreams,
more nightmarish his own political end
becomes.” (“Crvenkovski announces
mass protest in front of VMRO-DPMNE
headquarters” TV Telma)
ƒƒ Vesna Bendevska: “I sustained a
professional blow that threw me on the
floor, where I hit my head. What’s even
worse is the fact that security officer
stomped on me. If it weren’t for my
colleague Mitre Veljanovski, I assume his
intention was to continue stomping me.
Be that as it may, I will recover in few days,
but allow me to make myself very clear: the
attack would not weaver my decisiveness
to go all the way, fight to the very end, to
my last breathe in defending my people
and my country from Macedonian Fascists
led by Nicolae Grueski.” (TV Telma, news
programme)
ƒƒ Svetlana Mazgalovska-Vucetik: “I can
personally attest that – while MPs, women
included, were being literally hauled and
tugged - Liljana Popovska, MP and chair
of the committee on equal opportunities,
tried to prevent our colleague Marinela
Tuseva to film and have events in the
Parliament recorded as evidence. In
my opinion, events like these have not
happened in Pakistan, or Africa.” (TV
Telma, news programme)
ƒƒ Tanja Tomik: “At that time, none of us felt
physical pain. We were all concerned that
democracy was being suspended. From
the fact that we were not given attendance
and voting cards in order to attend the
session and resume our job posts, to the
fact that our colleagues silently observed
and did not react when media outlets were
expelled, aware of what might ensue,
or when we were hauled as livestock by
those whose salaries are funded with our
money.” (TV Telma, news programme)
ƒƒ Sonja Mirakovska fears that totalitarianism
is being introduced: “At that moment, we
firmly held each other’s hands, women
[MPs] lined near the root of stairs, and
knew that people were coming to throw
us out of the hall. How would you feel in
such situation? How do people facing a
fire squad feel? We didn’t know what they
would do. Are they going to haul us, or God
forbid, fire at us. But we knew that they
are coming for us... People who stomped
on parliamentary democracy cannot
have our respect. I believe they cannot
have the respect of citizens of Republic
of Macedonia. I believe that people, one
089
by one, will understand what happened
yesterday. It’s unimaginable what those
people [ruling authorities] can do now.
They might amend the Constitution and
adopt laws in a whim..” (TV Telma, news
programme)
ƒƒ Dzevdet Hajredini: “This is VMRO-DPMNE
and DUI’s scenario to adopt the budget at
all costs, outside regular procedures and
by violating the Rules of Procedure, even
by shedding blood, if necessary.” (“DPA
legitimized the budget”, Den, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Frosina Remenski: “What we saw yesterday
in the Parliament, reported by media
outlets and on web-portals, is indicative of
an institutionalized political violence with,
regretfully, involvement of state authorities
that are legally obliged to treat all citizens
equally, irrespective of the fact whether
they are MPs from ruling majority or
opposition.” (TV Telma, news programme)
ƒƒ Excerpt from Albanian intellectuals’ open
letter: “Utterly irresponsible and arrogant
behaviour demonstrated by the ruling
coalition can cause irreparable damages
to the social fabric, triggering a whirl of
anger, hatred and violence.” (“Albanian
intellectuals condemn the ruling majority”,
Den, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Vladimir Pivovarov: “According to chain
of command for actions performed by
the police group in the Parliament, key
responsibility should fall on the Minister
[of Interior]. All orders must follow the
chain of command, and thus Minister of
Interior must have been informed about
the order to have MPs forcefully evicted,
but the President of Parliament is also
responsible, despite the fact that he was
allegedly brutally attacked, which is did
not see. It could only be a scenario to
stage an attack on certain person in order
to justify, i.e., legitimize actions taken by
security officers later.” (TV Telma, news
programme)
ƒƒ Bloody budget will bury date for EU
accession (“Macedonia enters new stage:
It has Constitution, but no constitutional
order”, Den, pg. 1)
090
ƒƒ Naser Selmani: “Footage broadcasted
on TV outlets raise major concerns and
astonishment; this matter must not
remain unresolved, and President of
Parliament and parliament services should
immediately explain their actions in
public. Why did it happen? Who issued the
order? What arguments exist to justify the
actions?” (“AJM terminates negotiations
with government”, Den, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Helsinki Committee’s Report: “Committee
emphasizes that pursuant to the
Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, for the
purpose of maintaining the order, the
President of Parliament can issue an order
for a certain MP to be removed from the ,
but not for an entire parliamentary group.
This becomes even greater violation of the
Rules of Procedures knowing that in case
where the order at the plenary session
cannot be maintained, the President of
Parliament must first issue two verbal
warnings, and should they fail to contribute
towards order’s reinstatement, he is
obliged to call for a short break.” (“Helsinki
Committee Report: Unseen frightening
precedent made by ruling authorities”,
Den, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Mirjana Najcevska: “Coup d’état is seen
in complete accumulation of powers by
the Government of Republic of Macedonia
which, pursuant to the Constitution, is
the executive branch and implements
decisions taken by the Parliament. Only
a government that holds all powers can
dictate the conditions for state budget
adoption, accept or reject budget
amendments, dismiss parliamentary
committees and adopt legislation in fasttrack procedure (in this case, can adopt
the Law on Budget).” (excerpt taken from
the personal blog titled Quadrature of the
Circle, “Constitutional order in Macedonia
is destroyed”, Den, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Malinka Ristevska, Institute for European
Policy: “Definitely, this [event] will affect
the contents of the report to be published
by the European Commission. Parliament’s
normal operation is the first and foremost
condition for the rule of law.” (Igor Caveski,
“Bloody budget will bury date for EU
accession”, Den, pg. 7)
ƒƒ If to date Macedonia’s start of EU
accession negotiations was only
conditioned by finding a solution to the
name dispute, as of this moment, EU can
also rely on arguments related to non-
fulfilment of other criteria, in particular
those concerning political dialogue and
freedom of media. (Igor Caveski, “Bloody
budget will bury date for EU accession”,
Den, pg.7)
ƒƒ Opposition’s leader Branko Crvenkovski
announces street-based actions and civil
disobedience, while Prime Minister Nikola
Gruevski believes the current situation
is result of Crvenkovski’s pathological
addiction to being in power. (Katerina
Neskova, “Crvenkovski to take radical
actions, other factors warn that no political
goal justifies violence”, Dnevnik, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Saso Klekovski: “According to vocabulary
used, matters are expected to grow in
intensity and very much resemble last
year’s doings of Edi Rama in Albania,
thereby pushing the country on the brink of
civil war.” (Katerina Neskova, “Crvenkovski
to take radical actions, other factors warn
that no political goal justifies violence”,
Dnevnik, pg. 1)
ƒƒ DUI: “Budget adoption is one of the basic
preconditions for state’s functioning and
that is why we believe that this essential
document [state budget] cannot be used as
tool for daily political bargains and scoring
political points with the constituency.”
(“DUI: Budget is not matter of daily political
bargains”, Dnevnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ In the parliament building, we only
encountered Ivon Velickovski, MP from
the opposition. Parliament services
informed us that President Veljanovski
is also present, as well as Vice President
091
Saliu. (Mariela Trajkovska, “Day after
the Parliament incident: Silence after
yesterday’s noises”, Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ SDSM announces fierce extra-institutional
battle / Roadblocks, protests in front of
VMRO’s headquarters / Liljana Popovska
didn’t see women MPs being battered
(Fokus, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Quite simple, unbelievable is that this
country - where the dictator forces his party
soldiers and obedient servants to become
bullies, where brutal battering of MPs is
allowed, where journalists are censored,
while fake intellectuals convince the public
that both Hitler and the Jews are culpable
- is the same country we fought for twenty
years ago.” (Branko Geroski, “Good
Morning: Candid Camera”, Fokus, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Unscrupulous incident with journalists’
eviction is relevant argument that not only
MIA (Macedonian News Agency) and the
Parliament, but also Prime Minister Nikola
Gruevski and President of State Gjorgje
Ivanov replay the newly-established
phrases. Just imagine, both Gruevski and
Ivanov used the same word in regard to
miserable treatment of journalists, i.e.,
they both expressed regret about what
happened to my colleagues. On the other
hand, common sense implies that the
least they could have done is to condemn
this undemocratic act.” (Vlado Apostolov:
“Grujo-Speech”, Dnevnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Intellectuals from the Albanian community
dissociate themselves from MPs who
represent the Albanian population and
092
who – in the course of yesterday’s events
– remained silent about the injustices
inflicted and supported violation of
democratic principles.” (“Albanian
intellectuals condemn events in the
Parliament”, Fokus, pg. 5)
ƒƒ Nikola Gelevski: “Only a political idiot or
irreverent manipulator can believe that
‘radical’ SDSM attempted a coup d’état.
Gruevski does not live in the reality. So
typical for dictatorship regime!” (Vlado
Apostolov, “Dictatorial Speech”, Fokus, pg.
6)
ƒƒ Zarko Trajanovski: “Only in states where
the mafia is stronger than the democracy,
events like this can happen. In the same
manner as Gaddafi’s megaphones,
Gruevski’s megaphones tried to kill the
truth, hide the brutality of their gang of
hirelings and present their bullies as
‘victims of torture’. However, this time
around, the rape of Macedonian democracy
was caught on film. Propaganda lies
broadcasted by Gruevist media outlets will
not succeed. We all saw that MPs did not
leave the hall voluntarily, but were thrown
out as rags.” (Vlado Apostolov, “Dictatorial
Speech”, Fokus, pg. 6)
ƒƒ Stojance Angelov: “As they [VMRODPMNE] demonstrated force against the
Macedonians, they should demonstrate
force against KLA commanders and adopt
the Law on Defenders in the same manner
the budget was adopted.” (“Angelov:
VMRO to demonstrate force against KLA”,
Fokus, pg.7)
093
ƒƒ Savka Todorovska: “What happened
in the Parliament - women MPs being
dragged on the floor while other women
MPs observe and applaud – is not seen
in the world. Even if we want to demand
responsibility for such actions, there are
no instances that we can address with
request for relevant measures to be taken.
Violence took place in front of Minister
of Interior Gordana Jankulovska and
the Ombudsman.” (Sonja T. Jankovska,
“Women organizations shocked by events,
Lile Poposka didn’t see her women
colleagues being battered”, Fokus, pg. 8)
ƒƒ Suzana Saliu, Vice President of Parliament:
“I’m not glad to have witnessed such
horrific sight.” (Sonja T. Jankovska,
“Women organizations shocked by events,
Lile Poposka didn’t see her women
colleagues being battered”, Fokus, pg. 8)
ƒƒ Ljiljana Popovska, Democratic Renewal of
Macedonia (DOM): “There was no violence,
nobody was battering anybody; I didn’t see
such events. Even if something like that
did happen, it might have been in defence,
i.e., security officers might have injured
somebody when defending themselves
from MPs’ attacks.” (Sonja T. Jankovska,
“Women organizations shocked by events,
Lile Poposka didn’t see her women
colleagues being battered”, Fokus, pg. 8)
ƒƒ Radmila Sekerinska: “Although my leg is
injured, they dragged me and forcefully
expelled us from the plenary hall.
Stavreski and Jankuloska arrived and
gave instructions to have us thrown out,
094
so they can adopt the budget. Stavreski
was giving signals about how the situation
should unfold. Luckily, there were people
who filmed events on their cell phones
and there is evidence, especially because
later they might have insinuated that
we battered ourselves.” (“Sekerinska:
Stavreski gave signals for action”, Fokus,
pg. 8)
ƒƒ Once the budget was adopted by
force, nothing is or can be the same in
Macedonia. Dictatorship announces the
end of this government... Skopje is covered
in graffiti “I’m sick to death of Grujo”,
but their ardent supporters manage to
paint them over, for the time being. (Risto
Popovski, “Dictatorship”, Fokus, pg. 9)
ƒƒ State matters were dangerously
approaching total eclipse and civil war.
If the budget was not adopted, the state
would have stopped functioning. Just as an
automobile that doesn’t run without petrol.
Just as factory closed when its production
line is discontinued. Just as the brain
stops without blood and oxygen. If the
two politically opposed groups of people
collided, and if at one moment blood was
shed, Macedonia would have seen its first
civil war. (Mirka Velinovska “Branko’s petty
agenda: Crvenkovski wants to come in
power without elections, in order to close
the Macedonian issue”, Nova Makedonija,
pg. 1)
ƒƒ In a normal society, Amdi Bajram, as
the caricature of Macedonian politics,
would be ignored and not admitted to
any coalition. However, in Macedonia,
he became the paradigm of our political
reality. Nowadays, more intolerant,
primitive, provoking, corruptive,
shameless, and immoral and socially
disgraceful a person is, the better.
(Slobodanka Jovanovska, “Middle Finger
for Macedonia”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ “When journalists were evicted from
the gallery, it became clear that matters
would turn south. My colleagues cordoned
the speaking podium. Because of my
pregnancy, I retreated in the back, close
to MPs’ seats. In the meantime, DUI MPs
entered the hall. Then, special police
officers started entering from both sideentrances. Gordana Jankulovska and
Zoran Stavreski entered with one group
and took their seats” – Tuseva recounts.
She says that parliament security officers
began to tug opposition MPs by their coats
and feet and drag them towards the exit.
Those who resisted were kicked. MPs of
the ruling majority, according to her, calmly
observed. Ljiljana Popovska told her not
to film and to retreat so she won’t be hurt,
while Amdi Bajram made snide remarks
that somebody would be battered. “When
they started dragging Radmila Sekerinska
on the floor towards the door, I approach
the crowd. Someone behind me told me
not to film and started pulling my phone
and pushing me towards the exit. I gripped
the phone and managed to save footage
recorded. They pushed me outside, and,
in the end, my colleagues from SDSM
isolated me from the hustle.” (“Chaos in
Parliament through MP Tuseva’s lenses,
Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ When opposition steps over the police
(headline, Vecer)
ƒƒ All is fine as long as they just argue, insult
each other, exchange harsh accusations,
label each other as fascists, scoundrels,
thieves, but the moment somebody
touches them, such act is represented
in completely different dimension, i.e.,
they immediately start moaning and
simulating injuries. It is exactly such
behaviour that filled our glass - says
Aceski and adds that the current situation
can be all too easily solved by organizing
early democratic elections, i.e., local and
parliamentary elections at the same time.
(“Socio-psychological analysis of violence:
Completely different dimension when
somebody touches MPs”, Vecer, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Crvenkovski didn’t deliver on his promises
to supporters that after the rally in front
of the Parliament, SDSM will be in power.
By storming towards People’s Front,
he did not manage to batter those who
oppose him, so he announces annoyances
for Macedonian citizens, by organizing
roadblocks. He will not participate in
elections unless they are organized by him
and with heavy international monitoring.
(“Opposition leaves the Parliament and
moves to the streets: After failing to batter
Macedonians, Branko will annoy them”,
Vecer, pg. 3)
095
ƒƒ In our opinion, security officers employed
at MOI committed the criminal act of
preventing authorized employees to
perform public duties (“Naser breaks ties
with Teuta”, Vest, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Yesterday, Parliament’s PR Service issued
an announcement stating that journalists
were not evicted, but “asked” to leave
the viewing gallery in the plenary hall.
They briefly responded that orders were
not given by the Parliament’s President
Veljanoski, but that the security service
made individual assessment and decision.
“Journalists were not evicted, but were
asked to leave the viewing gallery and
reallocate to the Press Centre”, say
parliament representatives. (“Journalists
were ‘asked’ to leave, not evicted”, Vest,
pg. 3)
ƒƒ SDSM’s bold actions are beyond all rules
stipulated in the Constitution and beyond
all rules governing democracy. One cannot
ignore being the opposition, when the
people have decided that it belongs there.
One cannot defy respect for majority’s will
and at the same time represent himself
as democrat. That is what a totalitarian
mind is comprised of. (Ilija Dimovski,
“Reasoning of That Kind Would Lead You
Nowhere!”, Dnevnik, pg. 13)
26
th
December 2012
ƒƒ First misdemeanour charges for incidents
outside the Parliament filed. SDSM files
096
criminal charges against Veljanovski and
Jankulovska. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ AJM won’t relinquish. It files complains
requesting the chain of command to
be established behind the order to
have journalists removed from the hall.
Parliament Speaker distances himself
claiming he did not issue such order. (TV
24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Ana Pavlova-Daneva: “Forceful eviction
of journalists, cameramen and photo
reporters by security officers, just moments
before violent removal of opposition MPs
from the Parliament without a decision
being taken by two-third majority votes
from all MPs, constitutes violation to
Article 70 of the Constitution of Republic of
Macedonia... In our opinion, the Parliament
of Republic of Macedonia no longer exists.”
(TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news programme
at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Dilemma resolved. Security officers
(men and women) employed in the
Parliament are responsible for violent
eviction of journalists from the plenary
hall – announced President of Parliament
Veljanovski. (TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Use of force against women MPs was in
compliance with the Parliament’s Rules of
Procedure, said Liljana Popovska, founder
of Macedonian Women Lobby and chair
of parliamentary committee on equal
opportunities. (TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ MOI files first charges against participants
in Monday protests in and outside the
Parliament, while opposition files charges
against Trajko Veljanovski and Gordana
Jankulovska. (TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ SDSM files criminal charges against
Speaker Veljanovski and other high
officials on the grounds of violence exerted
in the Parliament. Rufi Osmani’s NDP
leaves the Parliament. (TV Alsat M, last
edition of news)
ƒƒ AJM demands responsibility to be
established for journalists’ eviction
from the parliament gallery. Veljanovski
reassures he did not issue such order.
Investigation will be conducted by
parliament security. (TV Alsat M, last
edition of news)
ƒƒ Zoran Zaev: “There will be shooting!”
(caption and audio recording) [presenter]:
Zoran Zaev reveals hidden motives behind
incidents in the Parliament. (TV Kanal 5,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Parliament Speaker also demands
identification of the culprit for journalists’
eviction from the Parliament. (TV Kanal
5, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Zoran Zaev, SDSM’s Vice-President, in
conversation with journalist from Netpress,
who introduced himself as fellow party
member from Kriva Palanka, announces his
party will not participate in elections and
there will be shooting. Mayor of Strumica
says his words were not transferred in full.
(MRT1, prime-time news programme on
the Public Broadcasting Service at 19:30
hours)
ƒƒ Crvenkovski will not succeed in returning
to power by force, says Prime Minister
Gruevski. King is dead, but nobody
has the courage to tell him. Lies have
brought him [Crvenkovski] to the end of
his political career, Gruevski states about
SDSM’s leader. (MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service at 19:30 hours)
ƒƒ Zaev threatens with bleak scenarios. If
elections are organized in the spring, there
will be shooting. There will be shooting!
(caption and audio recording). (TV Sitel,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Police identified number of bullies in front
of the Parliament. Criminal charges are
also filed against the person who battered
a pensioner during SDSM’s rally. (TV Sitel,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ (caption: excerpts from Crvenkovski’s
interview for the Croatian Public
Broadcasting Service - HTV) In the
opinion of political analysts, Crvenkovski
defames Macedonia with the international
community in order to guarantee negative
report from the European Commission. (TV
097
Sitel, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Are they devising a scenario for secession
of municipalities where SDSM holds local
governance? (news story continues):
Crvenkovski’s new attempt to stage coup
d’état and come in power by force. Analysts
who were consulted by TV Sitel recognize a
scenario that will culminate in secession of
municipalities where local governance is in
SDSM’s hands. (TV Sitel, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Mirka Velinovska: “We already saw one
municipality seceding [laughs, A/N].
Municipality of Karpos had its doors
closed. It self-declared a non-working day.
In Macedonia?! It suspended laws in effect.
Tomorrow, we might see municipalities
seceding at local elections or people being
prohibited to vote on elections. At least,
they would try.” Furthermore, Velinovska
warns of the fact that, in her opinion,
Crvenkovski has no red lines, and she has
no doubts that SDSM’s current leadership
is prepared to create civil war for the
purpose of achieve its goal to be reinstated
in power. (TV Sitel, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ AJM lodged a complaint to the Parliament
and MOI requesting establishment of
responsibility for journalists’ eviction
from the Parliament. Parliament Speaker
Veljanovski dissociates himself of any
responsibility and refers to parliament
security service. (TV Telma, prime-time
news programme at 18:30 hours)
098
ƒƒ Parliamentary democracy is suspended
and somebody must take responsibility
– this is how three former Presidents
of Parliament react to incidents in the
Parliament. (TV Telma, prime-time news
programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ Ljiljana Popovska, Macedonian Women
Lobby, justifies behaviour demonstrated
by parliament security officers and did not
express regret about MPs’ brutal expulsion
from the plenary hall. (TV Telma, primetime news programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ Veljanovski says he did not order eviction
of journalists and MPs / My-Oh-My, What is
Trajko Talking About (Den, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Rufi Osmani: “Main responsibility for
this serious political and legal scandal
primarily lies with the ruling government,
as its actions provoked opposition’s
boycott of parliament work, especially the
adoption of the Law on Security Forces.”
(“Rufi Osmani’s party also leaves the
Parliament”, Den, pg. 2)
ƒƒ …President of the Republic of Macedonia
turns into remote-controlled spokesperson
for ruling authorities. (“VMRO-NP: Ivanov
contributes to burial of Macedonian
democracy”, Den, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Transparency Macedonia: “...the budget
was adopted in an illegal manner, since
before the plenary session opposition MPs
were physically removed from the hall,
which is not allowed by the constitution
or the laws in effect.” (“Transparency
Macedonia: Veljanovski takes insidious
actions to have the budget adopted”, Den,
pg. 3)
ƒƒ Parliament security made independent
decision to throw out journalists as rags,
while President of Parliament Trajko
Veljanoski was unaware of such actions
being taken. (“Security officers run the
Parliament instead of Trajko”, Den, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Kim Mehmeti: “At times like time, anyone
who reacts in public would be labelled
Brankovist. Most recent example can be
seen in the open letter of several Albanian
intellectuals. The letter was not published
in Albanian media outlets, because they
are all controlled by DUI.” (“DPA is single
opposition party to attend session on
parliamentarian questions: Albanians slept
through the budget adoption”, Den, pg. 5)
ƒƒ Trajko Veljanoski: “After the first incident,
when I was attacked as President of
Parliament, when technical equipment
was destroyed, and security officers
had to evacuate me from the plenary
hall, competent security service in the
parliament – having in mind that the
viewing gallery is part of the plenary hall
- assessed that the gallery must be empty
in order to prevent aggravated incidents.
Therefore, I - as President of Parliament –
deeply regret that such an assessment was
made. I will request relevant institutions
to initiate procedures on establishing
responsibility for these actions.”
(“Veljanoski: I will investigate who ordered
journalists’ eviction”, Den, pg. 3)
ƒƒ 2013 Budget of the Republic of Macedonia
is neither developmental nor nondevelopmental, neither expansive nor
restrictive, neither right-wing nor left-wing.
In legal and formal terms, we do not have
a budget. Of course, like any other regime,
the regime in Macedonia would argue to
the contrary. However, if we have to accept
the fact that state budget is adopted,
inevitable is the conclusion that our state
enters 2013 with so-called baton-approved
budget, or more accurately Goca-approved
budget. (Kire Naumov, “Opposition Feels
Frozen Asphalt”, Dnevnik, pg. 15)
ƒƒ Branko crossed his Rubicon. He was first to
break through the cordon. He was first to
sustain police batons. Experiences like that
cannot be forgotten. If only we knew earlier
that batons are the magical solution, we
would have asked Grujo and Gordana to
slap the altruists well, so as to wake them
up and motivate them. (Branko Geroski,
“Batons Are What Altruists Need!”, Fokus,
pg. 2)
ƒƒ These days, people are increasingly
convinced that Gruevski, assisted by
the puppet-like President of State, has
no interest in democracy or introducing
reforms, but wants to rule in authoritarian
and absolute manner. (Aleksandar
Dimitrov, “Final Goodbye to EU and
NATO?”, Fokus, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Naser Selmani: “Damage is already caused.
Now, it’s up to institutions to somehow save
theirs and the reputation of the country, in
099
the world.” (“AJM demands MOI to establish
responsibility”, Fokus, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “Technical, expert,
task-based, broad... call it as you please,
as long as that government would be
exclusively tasked with organization
of fair and democratic elections. We
will participate in elections only if such
government is established.” (Vlatko
Stojanovski, “We will not participate
in elections organized by the current
government!”, Fokus, pg. 3)
ƒƒ SDSM announces it has identified as
many as 44 people who participated in the
violent “cleansing”, but were not employed
in parliament security services, because
they did not wear identification badges,
which is contrary to the Law on Parliament.
(Valentina Stojancevska, “Terrorists or
people’s representatives: Private security
officers and ‘Alfa’ members battered
MPs?”, Fokus, pg. 6)
ƒƒ Ivo Koteski: “Minister of Interior’s
chauffeur is also her personal bodyguard;
hence, he must be by her side at all times.
Moreover, all other security officers were
authorized by the Ministry of Interior.”
(Valentina Stojancevska, “Terrorists or
people’s representatives: Private security
officers and ‘Alfa’ members battered
MPs?”, Fokus, pg. 6)
ƒƒ Jani Makraduli: “While the party
paramilitary forces called us ‘communist
scumbags’, Veljanovski and Stavrevski
(with his left hand) - with unseen malice
100
and hatred – issued orders for our faster
eviction. The entire rage stemming from
their low self-esteem was vented on MPs,
especially on the ladies, in the same
manner in which Gruevski teaches them in
the advertisements on treatment of women
in Macedonia.” (Valentina Stojancevska,
“Terrorists or people’s representatives:
Private security officers and ‘Alfa’ members
battered MPs?”, Fokus, pg. 7)
ƒƒ Zoran Zaev: “True is that I said there will
be shooting. Let me repeat: yes, there will
be shooting! After Monday events inside
and outside the Parliament, I expect them
[authorities] to actually start shooting
at us.” (“Zaev: There will be shooting!”,
Fokus, pg. 9)
ƒƒ SDSM doesn’t have sufficient support
to overthrow the government according
to the Serbian scenario (“Futile are all
SDSM protests if it doesn’t participate
in elections: Crvenkovski lacks critical
mass to re-enact Serbian scenario”, Nova
Makedonija, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Saso Klekovski: “If SDSM’s goal is to
force the institutions investigate whether
decisions taken by the Parliament and
related to events from three days ago are
legal, then they would receive greater
support from citizens. If they are protesting
only for the sake of protesting, then such
protests would be of short life.” (“Futile are
all SDSM protests if it doesn’t participate
in elections: Crvenkovski lacks critical
mass to re-enact Serbian scenario”, Nova
Makedonija, pg. 3)
ƒƒ As regards preconditions for establishment
of technical government, NDP recommends
to establish a parliamentary committee
chaired by the opposition, with equitable
number of members from the ruling
majority and the opposition, and tasked
to identify actual culprits behind physical
and legal violence in the Parliament, as the
only mechanism able to restore dialogue in
the institutions.” (“NDP demands technical
government and early elections”, Nova
Makedonija, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Trajko Veljanovski: “Having in mind
opposition’s announced intentions to
prevent budget adoption, as well as
prospects for protests and incidents,
on the basis of the Law on Parliament,
I requested the parliament security
to maintain the order on the plenary
session. For that purpose, necessary
measures are planned and carried out
by members of parliament security. After
the first incident, when I was attacked as
President of Parliament, when technical
equipment was destroyed and security
officers had to evacuate me from the
plenary hall, competent security services
in the parliament – having in mind that the
viewing gallery is part of the plenary hall
- assessed that the gallery must be empty
in order to prevent aggravated incidents.”
(“Veljanovski to demand responsibility”,
Nova Makedonija, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Naser Selmani: “Grounds for filing criminal
charges exist, but first we’ll wait for
competent institutions’ response, as we
believe that most of them are professionals
who are able to recognize unprofessional
behaviour among their colleagues. Regrets
expressed by Prime Minister and President
of State are welcomed and instil greater
trust that institutions will do their job.”
(“Veljanovski to demand responsibility”,
Nova Makedonija, pg. 3)
ƒƒ First of all, I wish to express deep regret
about three MPs and 18 citizens injured on
24th December. No political goal can justify
violence. Fortunately, Skopje 2012 did not
repeat Tirana 2011 when three people lost
their lives. (Saso Klekovski “This is the
Balkans!”, Nova Makedonija, pg. 11)
ƒƒ Opposition SDSM announces filing
of criminal charges against all state
functionaries who “participated in party
and police coup implemented in the
Parliament of Republic of Macedonia.”
(“Criminal charges for events in the
Parliament”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 4)
ƒƒ There are people who can still not
understand that dictatorship is when a
person assumes control over all system
institutions, suspending the Constitution
and the Parliament. There is no need
of shooting, army members in front of
government or parliament buildings,
or police curfew to have dictatorship
instituted. Coups d’état also imply
suspension of all democratic control over
ruling structures. Macedonia is in this
stage. (Erol Rizaov, “Uaa Branko, You
Altruist!”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 6)
101
102
103
ƒƒ Roadblocks on main intersections will
be organized until Friday, and should
culminate with protests in front of VMRODPMNE’s headquarters in Skopje on
Saturday at 12:00 hours. (“Union for the
Future starts the resistance movement”,
Utrinski vesnik, pg. 6)
ƒƒ As of yesterday, Ombudsman Idzet Memeti
began redefining his role of social fighter
for human rights, as he stood and silently
observed dramatic violation to human
rights... As if nothing happened in the
plenary hall just minutes before, the
defender of human rights expressed his
gratitude to the Government for approving
more funds for the institution he chairs.
(Ljupco Popovski, “Macedonian Gallery of
Shame”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 12)
ƒƒ Only for the month of January, around
60,000 EUR from the state treasury will
be disbursed to MPs who renounced work
in the Parliament. Unlike MPs who won
people’s trust and whose salaries are
funded with taxpayers’ money collected
in the Budget, ordinary citizens are
dismissed from work if they do not appear
on their workplace for three consecutive
days. (“They’ll act on the streets, but will
receive state-funded salary: They boycott
everything, but not their monthly salary of
1,000 EUR!”, Vecer, pg. 1, 3)
104
He disassociates himself from any
responsibility. In Veljanovski’s opinion,
intervention against MPs is justified. In
the opinion of the opposition, it amounts
to tyranny. Session on parliamentarian
questions held without the opposition. It
organized own Q&A session outside the
Parliament. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Imer Aliu: “We regularly see scenes of
violence taking place in various parliament
houses, including the European Union.
However, tugging and evicting journalists
from the Parliament is a complete new
behaviour.” (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Nikola Gruevski: “I already expressed
regrets for inconveniences faced by
journalists on that day. President of
Parliament also provided an explanation,
which was distributed to all media outlets
in writing. Hence, I am at liberty to say that
this case will be processed and will be
completed.” (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
27th December 2012
ƒƒ Imer Aliu: “Regretting something or not is
a matter of personal belief. What citizens
need from You, as Prime Minister, is to
assume responsibility, condemn such
actions and take all legal steps to identify
people responsible for journalists’ eviction
from the Parliament last Monday.” (TV
24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Journalists booed Veljanovski for
having them evicted from the gallery.
ƒƒ Although he disassociates from any
responsibility for the incident with
journalists, Veljanovski confirms he
issued order to have MPs removed
from the plenary hall. Moreover, he
advised coordinators of SDSM and NSDP
parliamentary groups that disobedient MPs
will be removed. Opposition’s response
is “lies”. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Trajko Veljanovski: (caption): “Immediately
before the plenary session, at the
coordination meeting I informed the
attendees, including Vice President
Jani Makraduli and Goran Misovski,
coordinator of NSDP and LP, that pursuant
to Article 43 of the Law on Parliament,
I will authorize (caption reads ‘they will
authorize’, A/N), competent officers from
state administration bodies to take actions
in compliance with above-referred article.
Approval was submitted to the department
on internal order in the parliament, once
the coordination meeting ended.” (“Blatant
lies and manipulation, respond Makraduli
and Misoski; Coordination took place, but
approval for actions on the part of security
officers was not discussed”, source: MIA)
ƒƒ Jani Makraduli: “I’ll file defamation
and libel lawsuit. I am truly appalled by
heinous manipulation being served to the
public.” (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Goran Misoski: “Trajko Veljanovski is
an honourless and immoral person. He
allowed his colleagues, friends and MPs to
be expelled from the plenary session with
brutal police methods. His announcement
is brazen and extremely disrespectful.
Everything he said is not true. It’s a lie. I,
therefore, appeal to all fellow MPs who
attended the coordination meeting to
speak the truth.” (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time
news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Drunken citizen of Prilep who ran his Jeep
into opposition’s protesting crowd is taken
into custody (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Journalists greeted the President of
Parliament, Trajko Veljanovski, with
whistles and boing in protest of chaotic
events from Monday’s plenary session
when journalists were evicted from the
viewing gallery. Parliament-based incident
with journalists was tackled as one of
parliamentarian questions addressed to
Prime Minister Gruevski. It was raised by
MPs from DPA, as the only opposition party
present in the Parliament. (TV Alfa, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Trajce Grujoski, participant in the National
Liberation Fight: “They [VMRO-DPMNE]
created chaos on all plenary session. They
clattered pots and pans, screamed and
yelled. Nobody told them to shut up.” (TV
Alfa, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Albanian analysts believe Monday
events in the Parliament are part of
ruling authorities’ scenario. They are
disappointed with Albanian MPs for
agreeing to take part in it.” (TV Alfa, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
105
ƒƒ Arifi calls journalists to continue the
dialogue with the Government (TV Alfa,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Journalists booed Speaker Veljanovski
and left the session for parliamentarian
questions in protest against Monday’s
brutal eviction from the hall. SDSM also
organized Q&A session in the open,
outside the Parliament. Redundant
workers, people who have been wrongfully
detained, NGO representatives all took
turn in raising questions. (TV Alsat M, news
programme)
ƒƒ NDP is of the opinion that next year’s
budget is the summit of financial
discrimination against Albanians. Party
representatives say emigration is more
likely to happen, rather than investments.
(TV Alsat M, news programme)
ƒƒ Law and order must be respected. Both,
Veljanovski and Gruevski, regret the
incident with journalists. (TV Kanal 5
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ After having announced shootings, Zaev is
preparing the infantry (TV Kanal 5 primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ By staging a parody of the Parliament that
they left and announced would not return
there, today, MPs from SDSM continue
to implement methods on disrespecting
institutions of the Republic of Macedonia
and the system. Before an audience
comprised of small number of curious
citizens, they were re-enacting a session
106
on parliamentarian questions. (“SDSM
stages a parody of the Parliament in the
park ‘Women Fighters’, TV Kanal 5, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ In an interview for MIA, Parliament Speaker
claims he did everything in his power to
adopt the budget in regular procedure
and prevent any kind of incidents. (MRT1,
prime-time news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service at 19:30 hours)
ƒƒ Naser Selmani: “Expressing dissatisfaction
by shouting, whistling and booing is not
our method of operation. If somebody
wanted to sympathize with us, they should
have asked how we prefer to express
protest rather than abuse our position
for purposes unknown to us. (“Reporters
from Parliament abused”, MRT1, primetime news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service at 19:30 hours)
ƒƒ Veljanovski advises political ambitions are
evanescent, changes are eternal. He regrets
the events, but did everything he could. (TV
Sitel, news programme)
ƒƒ It takes courage and rising above narrow
party interests for Macedonia to be successful. US Ambassador Wohlers believes
there is no room for violent incidents in a
democracy. (TV Sitel, news programme)
ƒƒ Zaev reveals he will organize protesters and
sponsor bus transportation to Skopje next
Saturday. (TV Sitel, news programme)
ƒƒ Authorities and opposition accuse one
another for change of power by force: Coup
d’état without coup (Den, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Jani Makraduli, Vice President of Parliament: “Real parliamentarian questions are
raised here. We were thrown on the streets,
but we will not be silenced.” (“Opposition
organizes its Parliament on the streets”,
Den, pg. 4)
ƒƒ According to Article 128 of the Rules of Procedure, once hearings on budget amendments are completed within the committee
on finance and budget, the commission
report should be endorsed only by committee’s chair. In this case, the report was not
endorsed by committee’s chair (MP Marjanco Nikolov), but by group of MPs. Moreover,
the report of the legislative committee,
chaired by Blagorodna Dulik, is not endorsed as well. (“Documents on violation
to procedure: Budget’s legitimacy”, Den,
pg. 7)
ƒƒ Gordana Siljanovska: “Dialogue takes
place in the Parliament, not on the streets
and not by breaking through police cordons.” (“Instead of taking the speaking
podium, they communicate via lawyers:
Parliament must not be relocated in the
courtroom”, Dnevnik, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Times of street-based democracy and
putsch-democracy are long gone. (Dimitar
Mircev, “Appeal for the State,” Dnevnik, pg.
13)
ƒƒ Parliament’s broadcasting channel did not
turn the camera towards the journalists,
so citizens who watched the live broadcast
from the session on parliamentarian questions were unable to see what is happening
and that journalists are booing Parliament’s
President. (“About disgraceful and violent
overthrow of democracy: Journalists ‘booed’
the putschists!”, Fokus, pg. 1 and 3)
ƒƒ Today, Macedonia has only one legitimate
request – to have democracy restored.
However, with the current government in
power, that is impossible. The only solution to current crisis caused by an infantile populist and bully is to have fair and
democratic elections, with new ground
rules and organized by a neutral factor, not
by Gruevski. (Branko Geroski, “They Talk
the Talk, but Don’t Walk the Walk”, Fokus,
pg. 2)
ƒƒ We all need to confront the bullies who
raped our democracy and occupied our
civil sovereignty, by means of police-arranged dislocation of the public and the
opposition outside the Parliament! If we
fail to confront injustice, then we all become accomplices to injustice – reads the
statement endorsed by Roberto Belicanec,
Mersel Biljali, Nikola Gelevski, Branko
Geroski, Vladimir Milcin and Zarko Trajanoski. (“Citizens for European Macedonia
- CEM demand resignation from Veljanoski,
Gruevski and Jankulovska”, Fokus, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Liliana Georgievska, leader of redundant
workers from Kumanovo: “Money that can
be collected from material used to hide
Prometheus’ personal parts would suffice
to reimburse several redundant workers.”
(“Money from material to hide Prometheus’
personal parts to be used for reimbursing
redundant workers”, Fokus, pg. 5)
107
ƒƒ MOI acknowledges the first incident and
arrests drunken driver and co-driver of the
Jeep that ran into the crowd gathered and
injured three people two days ago in Prilep.
(“Furious bullies run over protesters!”,
Fokus, pg. 5)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “Someone might ask
why [we protest] in front of ruling party’s
headquarters? Well, because this party
occupied the state and turned it into a
political party state.” (“SDSM: Nothing can
stop us!”, Fokus, pg. 5)
ƒƒ Naser Selmani: “Events in the Parliament
on that day constitute violation to domestic
and international legislation ratified
by the Republic of Macedonia, which
guarantees freedom of expression and
the public’s right to information. Article
16 of the Constitution and Article 10 of
the European Convention on Protection
of Human Rights and Freedoms were
also violated. In practice, censorship was
introduced because somebody decided
to tell journalists what they should or
should not report.” (interview, “We’ll not
allow violence against the media”, Utrinski
vesnik, pg. 4.)
ƒƒ Kiril Bozinovski: “Goal pursued by
Crvenkovski and his close associates is
to gain the support of as many people
as possible and then cause continuous
incidents and riots. All of us should assess
whether legitimacy or even minimum
support should be given to a person such
as Crvenkovski. It’s a simple choice:
Macedonia will either regress or continue
108
the reforms, changes and efforts to
create and build a better future.” (“Kiril
Bozinovski and Andrej Petrov disagree
about the incidents”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 5)
ƒƒ Andrej Petrov: “I’m sure you have heard of
Slobodan Milosevik, but do you remember
Nicolae Ceausescu, who shares the
name, but also the methods of operation,
characteristic for your boss whom you try to
defend by undersigning an embarrassing
letter.” (“Kiril Bozinovski and Andrej Petrov
disagree about the incidents”, Utrinski
vesnik, pg. 5)
ƒƒ Macedonia grabs towards catharsis and
liberation from fear spread by this regime.
Stopping this process in its tracks, by force
and threats, might bring the first victims,
as feared by Gosev and all open-minded
people in this state. Political fights should
take place in the system’s institutions
and in the Parliament. Be that as it may,
when people’s representatives are being
battered in these institutions and the
public’s eyes in there are removed, when
government-dispatched policeman march
the parliament corridors, then street
barricades become the Parliament. It has
been proved in history on many occasion
before. (Erol Rizaov, “Veljanovski and
Supporters Booed…” Utrinski vesnik, pg.
10)
ƒƒ The public owes gratitude to Marinela
who filmed events that unfolded and
whose footage is now evidence. During
the blitzkrieg, and at moments when we
were being thrown out of the hall, my
mind blacked out. I stood in front of the
hall, three rows of brutes in suits and
ties in front of me and then I realized
that Marinela is still inside. Radmila was
the last one brutally thrown out by three
men, but Marinela stayed inside. All of
a sudden, I saw her lying on the floor,
between brutes’ feet. We hardly managed
to pull her out. We pray that everything will
be alright with her. Marinela’s case is very
specific, not only because she is pregnant,
or because her footage is priceless, but
also because of the fact that she was not
standing with us when we cordoned the
speaking podium. She did not hinder
anything. (Gordan Georgiev, “Doomed
Monday”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 11)
(“Broadcasting Council supports the
media: Allow journalists to do their work”,
Vest, pg. 3)
28th December 2012
ƒƒ Parliament continues its work without
the opposition. [Ruling] majority accepts
responsibility for all decisions made. (TV
24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Opposition lodges complaints in front of
the Helsinki Committee. They complain that
Veljanovski had them secretly filmed. (TV
24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Yesterday, Velija Ramkovski’s journalists
created a scandal in the Parliament,
shouting insults to Trajko Veljanoski,
President of Parliament. Once again, their
personal interests were pursued in the
form of ostensible journalism. Journalists
are ashamed of them. (“Velija’s journalists
again disgrace journalism”, Vecer, pg. 1, 3)
ƒƒ Taci knew about incidents even before they
occurred. He had been informed by foreign
diplomats. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Nikola Gruevski: “[investigation] Procedure
is in progress and will produce results.
Events like this deserve to be condemned
by all factors.” (“Gruevski promised
resolution of the incident with journalists”,
Vest, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Menduh Taci, President of DPA, claims
SDSM’s policies are fake and artificial. DPA
remains in the Parliament and requests DUI
to leave the Government. (TV Alsat M, news
programme)
ƒƒ Yesterday, the Broadcasting Council
called all institutions and political entities
to enable unhindered performance
of journalists’ professional duties.
ƒƒ Ruling DUI assesses that SDSM’s boycott
is not the best choice. Ali Ahmeti will make
efforts for Crvenkovski’s party to return to
Parliament. (TV Alsat M, news programme)
ƒƒ MPs in the Parliament approve Macedonia’s new loans from the World Bank and
Deutsche Bank in total amount of 300 million EUR. (TV Alsat M, news programme)
109
ƒƒ Ahmeti has a plan to return the opposition
in Parliament. Fule sends message for reconciliation and political dialogue. (TV Kanal
5, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ People’s representatives gave a green
light for loans from the Deutsche Bank,
in the amount of 250 million EUR, and
from the World Bank in the amount of 50
million USD. Opposition was not present
at the session. (MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service)
ƒƒ Scenario pursued by the opposition is
identical to those from 2010 and 2011
when - by creating political crisis - SDSM
blocked the system’s institutions. All is
identical, except for the motive. (TV Sitel,
news programme)
ƒƒ With support from SDSM councillors and
opposed by VMRO-DPMNE councillors,
Municipal Council of Ohrid passed 2013
budget that exceeds last year’s budget by 5
million EUR. (TV Sitel, news programme)
ƒƒ Yesterday, redundant workers blocked the
entrance and exit route Kumanovo - Skopje for
two hours, angry that their issue is not resolved and given that next year’s budget does
not allocate funds for that purpose. (“Opposition’s resistance continues”, Den, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Uranija Pirovska: “Government and the
Minister of Interior will need to assume
responsibility for the presence of special
police forces on the plenary session. Many
questions need answers and statements
110
deposited by MPs will enable us to conduct
a proper procedure. A precedent was made
by destroying the constitutional order in
the Republic of Macedonia. As of that day,
democracy in this state is dead.” (Toni Angelovski, “Peaceful protest or new clashes
at noon”, Den, pg. 5).
ƒƒ Edmond Ademi, political analyst: “VMRO-DPMNE and DUI’s masks have fallen,
and opposition’s and citizens’ endurance
will lead to this regime’s fall.” (“Extra-institutional struggle and street-based democracy: Being King Marko or citizen”, Den, pg.
7)
ƒƒ Dimitar Baseski: “By taking this step, all
alone, I express my support to the Association of Journalists in Macedonia and Macedonian journalists in general, to the professionals and freedom-loving people who
seek and are entitled to response about
the violence perpetrated on them and on
the freedom of information.” (Aleksandra
Bubevska, “Dimitar Baseski departs from
Association of Writers: No future to hope
for when writers are servants”, Den, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Democratic Alliance: Inquiry committee on
incidents in the Parliament must be established (Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Ali Ahmeti: “We condemn the incident with
journalists’ eviction from the Parliament.
Media should be able to perform their
jobs professionally, regardless of whether
we like their reporting or not. DUI will
make efforts to bring the opposition back
in Parliament.” (“Ahmeti will reconcile
Gruevski and Crvenkovski”, Dnevnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ The more politicians resort to foreigners
[international community], the more the
latter refer to problem resolution within the
frame of state institutions. USA, EU and
OSCE decline the idea for international
mediation requested by Crvenkovski.
(“Opposition resorts to foreigners for
salvation, they refer to dialogue”, Dnevnik,
pg. 3)
ƒƒ Zidas Daskalovski: “SDSM’s and
DPA’s requirements, as well as DUI’s
requirements, but in different matters,
imply decreasing sovereignty to the level
of making Macedonia a protectorate
and are radical attempts to delegitimize
the governance for the benefit of their
political party interests. Disrespect for
state institutions is a double-edged sword
because – although the opposition party
could have momentary benefits from
international community’s imposition in
the political system, in the long run, that
might undermine the foundations of the
state.” (“Opposition resorts to foreigners
for salvation, they refer to dialogue”,
Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ All political leaders in Macedonia should
unite to tackle open issues effectively. This is
what EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan
Fule wrote on his Twitter profile. (“Opposition
resorts to foreigners for salvation, they refer
to dialogue”, Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Let me remind the younger, but also older
MPs who probably never dreamt they
would be in such situation. In the past
as well, for example in 2004 when late
Ljupco Jordanovski chaired the Parliament,
there were attempts to disrupt parliament
work. MPs ringed bells and whistles,
walked around the hall with banners, and
Jordanovski was surrounded by MPs from
VMRO-DPMNE who were in opposition at
that time, and even had his card taken
away, in order to prevent continuation
of the session, but that did not result in
expulsion of opposition MPs from the
plenary hall! (Vlado Buckovski, “Will the
Political Madness End?”, Dnevnik, pg. 14)
ƒƒ Monday was bad day for Macedonia,
but surely it would have been 100 times
worse if Crvenkovski’s campaign for
intra-Macedonian conflict succeeded, if
the budget was not adopted and if the
constitutional order was destroyed by
SDSM... The real dictator is located on
former Bihacka Street, today renamed
Pavel Satev. It is there that unlimited power
has been exercised for almost 21 years,
i.e., from 1991 onwards. (Vlatko Gjorcev
“Dictator from Bihacka [Street] Attacked
Macedonia”, Dnevnik, pg. 15)
ƒƒ “...the idea for booing [President of
Parliament] in protest came from
journalists who work for Fokus and was
joined by other journalists, but Selmani
knows why he needed to privatize the
move and talk about certain attempts for
abuse of the act.” (Vlado Apostolov, “To
clarify matters”, Fokus, pg. 2)
111
ƒƒ Paul Wohlers: “Denying the right of MPs
to participate in plenary sessions is
undemocratic.” (“Wohlers categorized
opposition’s eviction as undemocratic”,
Fokus, pg. 3)
ƒƒ 24th December is a wonderful day
because the people and the world finally
saw the brutal ruling authorities in the
country: undemocratic, unconstructive,
unprincipled, violent, void of political
culture and tolerance, and of sense
for dialogue. Definitely, events of that
day confirmed that Gruevski is not a
Prime Minister, but a monarch. (Stevco
Jakimovski “Geese Choir”, Fokus, pg. 9)
ƒƒ SDSM’s leader cannot understand that if
he already decided to take to the streets,
then he must bear in mind that power in
the streets is given by the people. The
streets are not Bihacka’s backyard where
the “Pope” plays with his cardinalsfigurines. The streets are not even an
“elitist” parliament, where Crvenkovski’s
supporters can cut wires, plug off
microphones, strip down Christmas
ornaments and throw them at their
colleagues and rampage on the speaking
podium in an anarchist ecstasy. (Zoran
Dimitrovski, “Crvenkovski in the Streets
with People He Left on the Streets”, Nova
Makedonija, pg. 12)
ƒƒ Ahmeti to return SDSM in the Parliament
(Utrinski vesnik, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Zoran Jovanovski: “Everything that
happened in the Parliament, violation
to the Rules of Procedure, laws and the
112
Constitution, beating and expulsion of
opposition MPs from the Parliament,
as well as violent censorship of media
freedoms, was made by the government
for money, for lots of money, for over
400 million EUR in this short period. In
that, authorities demonstrated that they
are prepared to do whatever it takes to
grab the money. They needed the money
to ensure support for staying in power.
Authorities chose to forcefully indebt all
four-member families in Macedonia by
additional 800 EUR.” (“Opposition reacts
fiercely”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 8)
ƒƒ In my opinion, Monday’s events will
paralyze Macedonia’s political, democratic
and economic development in the next ten
years. After that Monday, Macedonia is
no longer a country that needs assistance
to develop, but a country that needs
assistance to stabilize. (Sonja Kramarska,
“Political Mass Murder”, Utrinski vesnik,
pg. 12)
ƒƒ Imagine what would have happened if
actions taken against opposition MPs in
the Parliament had been taken against
MPs from DUI. Imagine what would have
happened if special police forces socalled “parliament security” had tugged
and kicked DUI members on floor while
evicting Ali Ahmeti, NLA’s commander,
from the Parliament. Imagine what would
have happened if Teuta Arifi, let’s say with
a broken leg, had been approached by four
strong men and hauled like a rag on the
parliament floor. Imagine what would have
happened if pregnant Ermira Mehmeti had
been expelled from her parliament seat
and dragged while screaming for help.
And imagine what would have happened
if Talat Dzaferi, in attempt to help Teuta
and Ermira, had been kicked and his
clothes torn while being evicted from the
Parliament. What would have happened?
(Gjorgji Spasov, “What if This Happened to
DUI?”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 13)
ƒƒ One cannot live without truth; it always
comes out. Just look at the darkness about
the incident in Parliament, when footage,
statements, testimonials, truths were
being hidden. How can people know what
really happened; how can they know that
this should not be happening, that MPs
and journalists should not be forcefully
removed on orders issued by ruling
authorities, all for the purpose of creating
a politically contempt person who does
not know anything, again on orders issued
by authorities, so as to create living dead.
(Biljana Sekulovska “Ear to Ear”, Vest, pg.
19)
ƒƒ In the TV-aired “blabbing” show
programme that the government uses
as confession boot, the infamous trio
comprised of Silvana Boneva, Vladanka
Avirovik and Blagorodna Dulik, enhanced
by allegedly ashamed Vlatko Gjorcev,
said that they had to remove journalist
crews, as the latter disposed with tripods,
cameras and photo cameras that could
have fallen on MPs. Who do they think
they are? Do they think that an idiot would
scarify his/her camera to have them hit?
Do they know how much a camera costs?
After these martyred MPs confessed what
they fear, Silvana Boneva scintillated with
a genius idea to put journalists behind
bullet-proof glass. That is just one way
for MPs from ruling majority to feel more
secure. Most probably, authorities would
feel extremely safe if journalists were
behind bars. (Goran Mihajlovski, “24th
December”, Vest, pg. 3)
29th December 2012
ƒƒ Governing majority entrapped in police and
opposition circle. Resistance movement
organizes peaceful protests. Crvenkovski
announces recess during holidays. (TV
Alfa, prime-time news programme)
ƒƒ They [opposition] must come to their
senses. I’ll involve politics in this event,
but we need to show how beautiful it is
to live in harmony, to sing together, and
be joyous. They should think about why
they disturb people in the midst of most
important fasting period – said inter
alia director of Orphanage Centre “11
Oktomvri”, Ristenka Atanasova. (“Director
of ‘11 Oktomvri’ scolds the opposition”, TV
Alfa, prime-time news programme)
ƒƒ Today, around three thousand supporters
of SDSM organized a protest rally in
front of VMRO-DPMNE’s headquarters, in
downtown Skopje. SDSM’s leader Branko
Crvenkovski addressed the crowd and said
113
the government is killing democracy, while
state aid and employment are pursued
solely on basis of political affiliation.
Other opposition members also delivered
speeches at the protest. Organization of
protests will be put on hold during the
holidays. (TV Alsat M, news programme)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “Today, we are
gathered here, in front of this building,
because in this country – for years now
– a person cannot be employed in state
administration without political party
membership card. A judge or a prosecutor
cannot be appointed unless he/she
pledges allegiance to their party. If you
are a farmer and want to benefit from
subsidies or state land to grow agricultural
produce, you are first subjected to
verification against their party membership
lists. Social welfare is no longer awarded
through social welfare institutions, but at
their political party seats.” (TV Alsat M,
news programme)
ƒƒ Andrej Zernovski: “Gruevski, all your
efforts are to no avail; the people are here
and you cannot prevent them. Futile are
MOI actions to halt buses. Gordana ciao,
bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao! We’ll go
all the way! There’s no going back! Allow us
to commend journalists and cameramen.
You are welcome among us. Let’s give
them a big round of applause. Nobody will
hurt you here. You are safe. Yesterday, I
heard an explanation on why journalists
were expelled: to prevent a camera from
falling over precious heads of VMRO-
114
115
DPMNE MPs. Such a stupidity!” (TV Alsat
M, news programme)
ƒƒ Opposition in front of VMRO-DPMNE’s
headquarters. Protests will be put on halt
during the holidays. SDSM’s Vice-President
Zaev was not among protesters. (TV Kanal
5, news programme)
ƒƒ Opposition holds protest in front of
VMRO-DPMNE’s headquarters in Skopje
to express revolt against events in
Parliament. They announce protests will
continue, but after New Year’s Eve. (MRT1,
prime-time news programme on the Public
Broadcasting Service at 19:30 hours)
ƒƒ At times when the country is at EU’s
doorstep, irresponsible politicians who
fear they would not come in power pursue
street democracy scenarios. At the party
congress, Socialists called to cessation
of activities aimed to destroy the state.
(TV Sitel, prime-time news programme at
19:00)
ƒƒ Ombudsman is worried about violence
exerted on MPs and journalists (interview,
TV Alfa, prime-time news programme at
19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski says 2013 will be even
more difficult year for citizens. In his New
Year video message released today, he
warns citizens not to expect anything good
and refers to the state as party and police
regime. Yesterday, opposition terminated
protests that started immediately after
tensions in and outside the Parliament,
and announced that from Wednesday,
it will continue organization of so-called
“civil parliaments”. (TV Alsat M, news
programme)
ƒƒ SDSM tests the size of its supporter base
in front of VMRO-DPMNE’s headquarters.
Today’s rally fails short of mass
attendance. Crvenkovski will stay put until
Wednesday. (TV Sitel, prime-time news
programme at 19:00)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski: “Either we continue
to live humiliated, silenced, crumpled,
crushed in fear and shame, or we raise our
voice. We will fight and will win our dignity.
We will win this battle for our future and for
the future of our children. There is no third
alternative.” (TV Alsat M, news programme)
30th December 2012
ƒƒ Politically-stormy year ended with violence
in the legislative house (TV Sitel, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ New Year greetings abound in politics.
Crvenkovski wishes Happy New Year,
but advises SDSM would not return to
Parliament. (TV 24 Vesti, news programme)
116
ƒƒ Liljana Popovska issues second statement
on incidents in the Parliament. Allegedly,
she had been misinterpreted. (TV Alfa,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Year of dangerous living (Den, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Last Saturday, we finally witnessed
peaceful and dignified protests against
the ruling majority. There was no violence,
no incorrect behaviour, and no physical
confrontations. So, it was possible! But
such things happen when one goes beyond
a joke. (Sotir Kostov, “In the Name of
People Won’t Suffice Anymore!”, Dnevnik,
pg. 16)
ƒƒ Who knows how many rigged elections
we would have to lose, if it weren’t for his
grandiose stupidity from 24th December,
when our dictator officially suspended
parliamentary democracy and thus freed
us of the painful obligation to legitimize
yet another of his alleged triumphs. Now,
Nikola has neither credibility to ask for
such approval nor manner to coerce us
into it. He can only decide to continue reelecting himself. Just as monarchs do. He
already turned Macedonia into a monarchylike dictatorship. (Branko Geroski, “New
Year Present”, Fokus, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Today we should organize a memorial to
the greatest victim of police actions in
the legislative house from 24th December.
Seven days have passed from the murder
of democracy’s soul in Macedonia.
(Jadranka Kostova, “Requiem for
Democracy”, Fokus, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Opposition accuses the police of blocking
the roads, inspecting vehicles and
preventing [opposition] buses to arrive
in Skopje. (“At protests in front of VMRODPMNE’s headquarters, opposition
announces there’s no going back, it will
take to the streets every day starting from
Wednesday!”, Fokus, pg. 4)
ƒƒ As time passes, events in the Parliament
from 24.12.2012 will be crystalized as the
turning point of Macedonian transition
into dictatorship. Democratic progress
is halted, and I believe our European
perspective is completely destroyed. That
is what was done, You tragic clowns of
dictatorship! This event alone will be what
You and our general idiotism that you so
consistently express will be remembered
for. (Ljubomir D. Frckoski, “Violence and
Bloody Clowns”, Fokus, pg. 10)
ƒƒ Jani Makraduli: “...I’m appalled with
Veljanovski’s hideous manipulation
that he announced use of force. I cannot
understand that. In good time, Trajko
will admit that he and Dimovski were in
Mijalkov’s office at 09:58 hours, to receive
instructions and orders on what to say…
Prime Minister commissioned, but Gordana
and Trajko hold the criminal responsibility
[for the events]. Whether they would identify
the commission party remains to be seen in
court proceedings.” (Jani Makraduli, MP and
SDSM candidate for Mayor of Skopje: Before
conducting Gruevski’s scenario, Veljanovski
attended consultations with Mijalkov”,
Fokus, pg. 13)
ƒƒ Political crisis as 2012’s key legacy (“2013:
Year of difficult political decisions”, Nova
Makedonija, pg. 1)
ƒƒ For the purpose of enabling MPs to
exercise their right to participate in the
session, those who were obstructing the
order were removed. It’s as simple as that.
(Darko Janevski, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy
117
- Miseducation of Paul Wohlers”, Nova
Makedonija, pg. 12)
ƒƒ One week after the tragic day when
Macedonia’s already fragile democracy
eclipsed and with just hours from the
New Year, impressions are being settled,
but anxiety remains. In practice, ruling
authorities derogated the order, using
all mechanisms to impose their will as
the only relevant, while the opposition
that left the Parliament conquers the
streets, deeply invested in the movie
called “resistance” that premiered in a
neighbouring country. (Biljana Vankovska,
“All Together, All for Oneness”, Nova
Makedonija, pg. 13)
ƒƒ The so-called Front for Macedonia was
formed overnight, as counter-protest to
SDSM’s protest and an ultimate protest
against protests in the country, and it
almost brought the country on the brink of
violent civil war. (Slobodanka Jovanovska,
“Year of Everybody Against Anybody”,
Utrinski vesnik, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Dimitar Dimitrov: “I am convinced that all
people in Macedonia were deeply affected
by the budget drama and wish to bury it in
the past. It was a complete national defeat,
where there are no winners and losers.
Indirectly, biggest losers are people’s
representatives, i.e., MPs.” (“Pessimistic
forecasts for 2013: Crisis is deep,
perspectives are dark”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Mirjana Maleska: “Having MPs and
journalists violently expelled from the
legislative house, disrespecting the law
118
and the Rule of Procedure, as imperfect
as they might be, is unacceptable. If we
pretend this never happened, we give
legitimacy to violence, absolute rule
of certain persons, not the rule of law.
(“Pessimistic forecasts for 2013: Crisis
is deep, perspectives are dark”, Utrinski
vesnik, pg. 4)
ƒƒ All political leaders in Macedonia should
unite to tackle open issues effectively.
Political disagreements should not be
solved by violence, negatively affecting
role of media – writes Stefan Fule on his
Twitter account. (“Facebook status: EU
Commissioner sends New Year greeting
to all Macedonian politicians / Fule:
This spring will be decisive for your EU
perspective, Vecer, pg. 2)
ƒƒ Branko calls people to riots against
Gruevski (Vest, pg. 5)
31st December 2012
ƒƒ MOI rejects AJM’s complaint on journalists’
eviction from parliament gallery (TV 24
Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
1st January 2013
ƒƒ Excessive force was not used against
journalists when being evicted from the
parliament gallery, - Minister Jankulovska
is decisive. She refused to comment
conclusions reached by the sector on
internal control, but called journalists
to come to their senses and resume
negotiations with the Government. (TV
24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ [In its response] MOI states that the
President of Parliament requested order
to be restored in the parliament hall
and conditions to be created for plenary
session’s start. As for journalists in the
viewing gallery, an assessment was made
to instruct them to leave the hall and follow
the events from the Press Centre. Most
journalists complied, but some confronted
parliament security officers. (“Jankulovska
will try to overcome misunderstandings
with AJM”, Dnevnik, pg. 4)
ƒƒ According to MOI’s sector on internal
control and professional standards, an
assessment was made that journalists who
report from the Macedonian Parliament
“should be instructed to leave the hall until
order and conditions for normal operation
are restored and the plenary session
starts.” (“MOI finds excessive force was
not used against journalists”, Utrinski
vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Few days ago, an attempt for violent
seizure of the Parliament and defiance
of voters’ will at previous parliamentary
elections held year and a half ago
was prevented. Although there are
consequences for the country’s reputation,
fortunate is the fact that Macedonia did
not allow destruction of democracy that
has been built for many years and of
government legitimately elected on free
and fair elections. Moreover, Macedonia
did not allow to be blocked and damages
to be inflicted on citizens by means of
budget’s non-adoption – said Gruevski
in his New Year address and added that
perpetrators of this undemocratic act have
a chance to recover some of the country’s
lost reputation, if they return to Parliament
soon and participate in upcoming local
elections, which must and will be fair, free
and democratic, just as previous elections
in the country. (“Opposition declines
Prime Minister’s invitation to return to
Parliament”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Prime Minister Gruevski can make all New
Year wishes he pleases. We, on several
occasions, said that our participation in the
elections depends on amended Electoral
Code and updated voters’ list in accordance
with OSCE/ODIHR recommendations – said
SDSM’s Vice-President Gordan Georgiev.
(“Opposition declines Prime Minister’s
invitation to return to Parliament”, Utrinski
vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ I thought that the coup d’état attempt
that was considered to be the greatest
attack on state’s stability would be
followed up by series of arrests targeting
the putschists. Intelligence and reporting
services that avidly follow enemies of the
state must have been aware of all plans to
overthrow state leaders, President of State,
President of Parliament, Prime Minister,
Army Headquarters and plans to conquer
the libertarian and independent public
broadcasting service. But, nothing happens.
119
No spectacular arrests, no cameras, no
handcuffs, no special force members in
hoods. Instead of coup, we only heard
“poof”. (Erol Rizaov, “How a Coup Became
‘Poof’”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 6)
ƒƒ Nevertheless, what happened in
Macedonia is unseen even in Russia,
Uzbekistan or Belarus since 1989. MPs
and media being forcefully thrown out
by members of rapid deployment unit!
Therefore, opposition’s call to civil
disobedience is completely justified. Civil
disobedience is a concept promoted by
Henri David Thoreau as early as 1849. In
his essay “Resistance to Civil Government”
Thoreau called to civil disobedience in
protest against slavery in the United States
and the war in Mexico. His disobedience
was expressed by tax evasion, which
was accepted as practice by numerous
people of same mind. (Nano Ruzin, “Civil
Disobedience is a Must in Democracy”,
Utrinski vesnik, pg. 13)
ƒƒ As a reminder, even after opposition MPs
were battered and brutally evicted by 40
policemen, parliament gallery remained
closed to journalists. (“Sector on Internal
Control rejects AJM’s complaint: No
brutality was exercised against journalists
in the Parliament”, Vest, pg. 2)
2nd January 2013
ƒƒ AJM counteracts MOI: If no responsibility
is established, why does the entire state
leadership regret journalist’s forceful
120
eviction? Opposition continues the battle
on the streets. They will participate only
in elections not organized by Gruevski.
Divisions, especially along ethnic and
political lines, are the biggest challenge
for 2013. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Gordan Georgiev: “After last Monday, Ali
Ahmeti has no credibility or integrity to act
as intermediary. He and his fellow MPs
are tacit, but still, they are accomplices in
Parliament events. (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time
news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Opposition will boycott the elections. In
their opinion, implementation of OSCE/
ODIHR recommendations and revision
of voters’ list are no longer important.
Gruevski’s Cabinet is undemocratic and it
cannot organize free, fair and democratic
elections – is the new position of the
united opposition. (TV Alfa, prime-time
news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Gordan Georgiev: “The party [SDSM] is
firm in its position not to participate in
elections. Conditions [we put forward]
that are referred to, whereby Zaev and
I were quoted, were valid until ‘Black
Monday’ when violence against MPs
and journalists was committed in the
Parliament. As you remember, our previous
conditions included revision of voters’
list and implementation of OSCE/ODIHR
recommendations, but the ruling majority
refused to accept them. As of that Monday,
said conditions are irrelevant because we
have a dictatorship regime, which cannot
organize normal, free and fair elections.
Therefore, I repeat, we will not participate
in upcoming elections.” (TV Alfa, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ AJM didn’t find common ground with MOI.
No answer why journalists were expelled
from the parliament gallery and who made
such decision. (TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ SDSM announces it will boycott upcoming
local elections. MPs’ eviction from
the plenary hall indicated inability of
authorities to guarantee democratic
elections. (TV Alsat M, news programme)
ƒƒ SDSM unconditionally denounces
elections. It will not fulfil Gruevski and
Ahmeti’s New Year wishes. (TV Kanal 5,
prime-time news programme)
ƒƒ SDSM declines Prime Minister Gruevski’s
initiative for opposition’s return in
Parliament and participation in local
elections. In individual interviews, both
Zaev and Georgiev, say they will participate
in March elections only if Electoral Code is
amended and voters’ list is updated. Ruling
VMRO-DPMNE says these requirements are
already delivered. (MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service at 19:30 hours)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski and SDSM are playing
games with the public and voters. Their
decision on possible participation in the
elections depends on how many riots and
incidents they will cause on the streets
and on the extent of foreign intervention
and mediation they would manage to
impose in the country, all for the purpose
of satisfying their interests. Be that as it
may, Macedonia is held hostage to Branko
Crvenkovski’s career. (TV Sitel, prime-time
news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ In AJM’s opinion, incomprehensible is how
MOI’s sector on internal control and professional standards did not establish responsibility for journalists’ eviction from the
parliament gallery, although the President
of State, the President of Parliament and
the Prime Minister regret the event. (AJM’s
press release) (“AJM: MOI’s responses do
not concern matters from our complaint”,
TV Sitel, news programme)
ƒƒ SDSM will likely boycott upcoming local
elections. Final decision depends on
government’s preparedness to organize
free and democratic elections. AJM firmly
stands behind its request for identification
of people responsible for journalists’ violent eviction from the parliament gallery on
24th December. (TV Telma, prime-time news
programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ OSCE/ODIHR recommendations are transposed [in the Electoral Code]. State Electoral Commission confirms that voters’ list is
updated. Generally, all is arranged [for the
elections]. What demands does SDSM have
now? There will always be minor recommendations to be integrated in the legislation, but that does not mean all of them
will be fulfilled – says Vladimir Bozinovski,
political scientist. (“Although opposition’s
requests are accepted, SDSM compli-
121
cates the situation by avoiding elections”,
Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Is there someone in the state who will take
responsibility for party and police coup
d’état? – asks Georgiev, in whose opinion,
current government lacks capacity to organize fair, free and democratic elections.
(“Georgiev: Who will be held responsible
for party and police coup d’état?”, Fokus,
pg. 5)
ƒƒ Jim Bumelha, President of the International
Federation of Journalists: “We condemn
the decision to remove journalists from
public debate about such important issue
of public interest… By giving an order to
remove journalists, the ruling majority
wanted to be the one to decide what will be
reported.” (“Eviction of journalists from the
parliament gallery: Sister of MP from VMRO-DPMNE tasked to reconsider journalists’
complaint”, Fokus, pg. 7)
ƒƒ Arne Konig, President of the European
Federation of Journalists: “The decision is
more an attempt to control information,
rather than concern for the security. Our
colleagues deserve an apology and a promise that such measures will not be repeated
in future.” (“Eviction of journalists from the
parliament gallery: Sister of MP from VMRO-DPMNE tasked to reconsider journalists’
complaint”, Fokus, pg. 7)
ƒƒ Alley of magnates and immortals at MANU
continue to enjoy universal peace and tranquillity. Scholars and academics work on the
strategy for Macedonia’s future. To decipher
122
that labyrinth, they need absolute silence.
They will get it soon, at this moment we are
in troubled waters. Once the flood raises by
two more fingers, they will exclaim as choir:
Eureka! (Erol Rizaov, “A Writer’s Resignation”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 6)
ƒƒ For days now, the public is saturated with
statements of state leaders who dissociate themselves from events in Parliament.
More surprisingly, on one hand, they
express regret for the incidents, but on the
other hand, the sector on internal control
establishes that the police did not overstep
their authorizations. If the incident did not
happen, if journalists were not touched and
if nobody evicted them from their “second
work office” by force, then what are state
leaders regretting and why they felt compelled to reassure us that the situation will
be resolved? (Daniela Trpcevska, “What
About Political Responsibility?”, Utrinski
vesnik, pg. 12)
ƒƒ Macedonia is held hostage to Branko Crvenkovski’s career (Vecer, pg. 1)
ƒƒ AJM wonders how did the sector on internal control fail to establish responsibility
for journalists’ eviction, having in mind
the regret expressed by the President of
State, Gjorgje Ivanov, and the President of
Parliament, Trajko Veljanovski, and even
the Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski and his
Deputy Teuta Arifi. AJM wonders what did
state leadership regret, if the decision [to
have journalists removed] is constitutional
and legal. In that, AJM reminds that as long
as institutions do not resolve this event,
it stands behind the decision to suspend
talks with the Government. (“AJM asks: If
journalists’ eviction is constitutional, what
do state leaders regret?” Vest, pg. 4)
3rd January 2013
ƒƒ Parliament sanctions opposition MPs, by
cutting one-third of their salaries. Opposition reacts: Salary cuts are small price
to pay for democracy. Veljanovski should
admit who tugged MPs and journalists. (TV
24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ SDSM’s press release: “We call this regime
to continue the party-police putsch. They
have our blessing to conduct fabricated
investigations, to dissociate from their
responsibility, to continue to act as if
everything is normal in the country and to
take measures against opposition MPs.”
VMRO-DPMNE’s press release: “SDSM did
not react when their MPs destroyed state
property, which was paid for with citizens’
money, when they attacked the President
of Parliament, threatened MPs and covered
parliament security cameras, in order to
prevent citizens to witness their scenario.
It seems SDSM MPs are most interested in
their profits and are least concerned about
the manner in which they destroy Macedonia’s reputation.” (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time
news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Izet Zekiri, MP from NDP: “The Parliament,
i.e., the responsible instances that decided to reduce MPs’ salaries, should first
establish a team tasked to analyse events
that occurred in the Parliament, to analyse
suspension of democracy. This team must
determine the reasons for the scandalous
eviction of journalists from the Parliament
and use of force against MPs. Then, it
should establish who ordered the intervention in Parliament and propose measures
to resolve these problems.” (TV 24 Vesti,
prime-time news programme at 20:00
hours)
ƒƒ One day after SDSM announced it will not
take part in local elections, DPA confirmed
its participation. Party’s leader Menduh
Taci announced that they are only interested in municipalities with dominant Albanian population, but this time they will not
nominate a mayor candidate for Kicevo. He
rebukes the Government on various matters, but does not contest its capacity to
organize fair elections. (TV Alfa, prime-time
news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Zoran Zaev: “If, at the time when candidate
lists are due for submission, SDSM decides
not to participate in the elections, I – as
SDSM’s Vice-President – will be the first to
comply. I will not submit my bid for Mayor
of Strumica. I fully stand behind positions
of my political party. We cannot live forever
in a dictatorship and I hope that relations
in the state will assume normal course.
Governing majority bears the greatest
responsibility thereof and it should take
steps needed.” (“Zaev: If Crvenkovski has a
change of heart, I will win the elections”, TV
Alsat M, news programme)
123
ƒƒ Boris Kondarko: “...law’s intention and
purpose is to have the opposition included
to increase transparency and trust in work
and decision-making of electoral bodies.
Current situation [opposition’s refusal to
participate in elections] creates a legal gap
that in future could trigger additional technical and administrative issues and, more
importantly, legal and political issues,
which would call into question the elections and would raise problems.” (“President of the State Electoral Commission
doubts that elections can be organized
without the opposition”, TV Kanal 5, primetime news programme)
ƒƒ Aleksandar Petreski: “I believe that elections will not take place. Elections without
the opposition are not elections. Such
elections would be one party system. Such
elections would not benefit anybody. It
would mean that winners are known in
advance, as was the case in communism.
Therefore, I think there will be no elections.
Either we will have democratic elections or
no elections at all.” (“Petreski respects the
decision to boycott elections”, TV Telma,
prime-time news programme at 18:30
hours)
ƒƒ Branko Crvenkovski should think twice
about what he’ll offer as solution to the
124
current situation. One thing is certain.
Boycott is not part of the solution, but
part of the problem. Boycott of elections
implies abandoning all hopes, rather than
a platform for victory. (Erol Rizaov, “Who is
SDSM Boycotting?”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 10)
ƒƒ Jove Kekenovski: “As there was no will
to overcome the political crisis by means
of domestic mediators, I expect the
international community’s mediation role
to be emphasized immediately before
the elections. Then, the two opposing
parties will sit at the same table and
elections will be organized, and it might
be possible for the opposition that
boycotts the Parliament, to return in the
legislative house.” (“Experts don’t trust
announcements on election boycotts:
Branko will boycott, SDSM’s mayors
announce victory”, Vecer, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Musa Dzaferi: “They chose this, but it
might be fatal for them. We cannot afford
to forever beg the opposition to participate
in local elections. It’s a battle on local, and
not on central level.” (“Dzaferi: We will not
beg the opposition forever”, Vecer, pg. 3)
4th January 2013
ƒƒ On Tuesday, SDSM will announce its
conditions to participate in local elections.
Ruling authorities demand the opposition
to return in Parliament. (TV 24 Vesti, primetime news programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Brussels’ appeal about political
developments in the country. Sebastian
Brabant: “We urge [the political figures]
to behave according to the Constitution
and laws and to act through parliamentary
procedure that is in the best interest of the
citizens who elected them.” (TV Alfa, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Opposition continues with protests in
Skopje and in other towns country-wide.
Social-democrats believe a technical
government is the only solution to the
situation. (TV Alfa, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Zaev expects SDSM to make wise and
reasonable decision. Zoran Zaev: “We’ll
present our demands and goals which, in
our opinion, should be acceptable for the
government.” (TV Kanal 5, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ European Union, with great concern,
observes political clashes in and outside
the Parliament and calls all parties to
immediately stop aggressive and provoking
actions. Brussels requests dialogue in
Parliament. (MRT1, prime-time news
programme on the Public Broadcasting
Service at 19:30 hours)
ƒƒ Without delay, confrontations must be
ended. EU does not support calling to
civil disobedience and continuation
of protests and roadblocks across the
country organized by SDSM’s activists
and supporters. (TV Sitel, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ What will they work and how will they
sustain themselves if they continue
boycotts and riots in the streets? SDSM
members will not be represented in
the Parliament; they will not be elected
mayors or municipal councillors, or even
be appointed directors. Current SDSM
leadership finds it more important for
Crvenkovski to maintain his leading
position, while members sink into deeper
poverty. (TV Sitel, prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Protests in figures: Crvenkovski does not
enjoy the support of more than 290,000
pensioners whose pensions are increased
by 40%, or 300,000 students who benefit
from tuition-free university studies. The
streets are not attended by 350,000
125
citizens who legalized their illegally
constructed buildings for 1 EUR per m2.
SDSM and Branko Crvenkovski suffered
another fiasco with their street politics. (TV
Sitel, prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Republic of Macedonia will lose the
positive recommendation and chances
to obtain a date to start EU accession
negotiations due to Branko Crvenkovski’s
boycott of elections. Foreign diplomats
contacted by TV Sitel say that a country
where opposition’s leaders launch attack
on special police forces and on their own
people has slim chances for joining the
European Union. In-country experts share
the same position and add that the boycott
of elections would definitely mean losing
EU candidate-country status. (TV Sitel,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ EU urges leaders of all political parties and
their supporters to end the confrontations
and to act through discussion in the
Parliament, without delay. (TV Telma,
prime-time news programme at 18:30
hours)
ƒƒ This evening as well, the united opposition
organized protests and outdoor civil
parliaments in Skopje and several towns
country-wide... They remind that on 24th
December, i.e., on “Black Monday” as
they call it, the Constitution, Parliament’s
Rules of Procedure, laws, integrity of
parliamentarians and democracy were
suspended. They also advised that the
126
executive government which pursued
violent rule should resign. (“Protests in
downtown Skopje”, TV Telma, prime-time
news programme at 18:30 hours)
ƒƒ Opposition is determined to boycott the
elections (Den, pg. 1)
ƒƒ Deeper political crisis could be avoided
with the establishment of different type
of government. (“Emilijan Stankovic:
Participation in elections only if technical
government is in place”, Den, pg. 4)
ƒƒ Albert Musliu: “If two years ago,
early elections were organized due to
Parliament’s boycott, the current situation
is more extreme and can best be solved by
organizing new elections.” (Den, pg. 5)
ƒƒ VMRO-DPMNE already announced that
opposition’s demand is unacceptable and
considers it blackmail, as power was won
on fair and democratic elections. Both,
DUI and DPA, are categorically against
such [technical] government. (“SDSM’s
demand has no support: Technical error
in the demand for technical government”,
Dnevnik, pg. 1)
ƒƒ At this moment, there is no decision
to boycott March elections, says Ivon
Velickovski, President of the Liberal Party.
(“SDSM’s allies do not consider boycott as
agenda item”, Dnevnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ VMRO and SDSM won’t even discuss a
possible meeting. (“Foreigners to sit down
Gruevski and Crvenkovski on same table”,
Fokus, pg. 5)
ƒƒ EU urges leaders of all political parties and
their supporters to end the confrontations
and to act through discussion in the
Parliament, without delay. We call the
political figures to behave according to
Constitution and laws and to act through
parliamentary procedure that is in the
best interest of the citizens who elected
them, added [Sebastian] Brabant, thereby
sending a message that Brussels would
like to see the opposition back in the
Parliament and abandon any idea on
boycotting upcoming local elections. (“EU
calls for eased tensions in Macedonia”,
Nova Makedonija, pg. 4)
ƒƒ In addition to basic requirement for
revised voters’ list and amended electoral
legislation that integrates OSCE/ODIHR
recommendations, today the issue of who
will organize the elections is also logical.
If this regime demonstrated it would use
force to have the budget adopted, i.e., to
grab the money, why would it abstain from
using force at elections, asked SDSM’s
spokesperson, Emilijan Stankovic. (“SDSM
is clear on the outside, but obscure on the
inside”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ In his statement, given for Utrinski vesnik
two days ago, university professor Denko
Maleski said “if the opposition wants to
trigger foreign intervention” it might be
surprised by the “silence”. (“SDSM is clear
on the outside, but obscure on the inside”,
Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ At that time, we had no other choice.
But, if regular elections were not held,
competition would make no sense. It was
not important how many MP seats we
would win. We might have won one, two
or no MP seats. We had to reconsider what
might happen if we didn’t boycott the
elections. That is how we expressed our
revolt and dissatisfaction – recalls Gosev.
(“Gosev: A boycott decision is not an easy
one”, Utrinski vesnik, pg. 3)
ƒƒ Barely a hundred people, mostly activists
paid by Soros, block the streets in Skopje
every night: Fiasco of Branko’s street
politics (Vecer, pg. 1)
ƒƒ If SDSM refuses to participate in elections,
it is threatened by extinction or internal
schism (Vecer, pg. 3)
ƒƒ According to SDSM, this regime no longer
has credibility to guarantee fair, free
and democratic elections, and therefore
they demand establishment of technical,
expert or any other government with
mandate to organize fair elections. SDSM
representatives say the political party will
not participate in the interim government.
(“Extraordinary Congress on Pavel Satev
Street: SDSM to discuss boycott of
elections”, Vest, pg. 2)
5th January 2013
ƒƒ Experts warn that political turmoil will
negatively affect the economy (TV 24 Vesti,
prime-time news programme at 20:00
hours)
127
ƒƒ Teuta Arifi: “Given the fact that recent
events have absolutely shaken internal
relations, i.e., internal political relations,
I believe we need to start thinking about
finding a way out of the situation, in
order to obtain a better and more realistic
report in April. As is known, the European
Commission is already working on this
report, it is not a report for which we
provide information, but it will reflect the
situation in the country and therefore we
need to work towards restoring the matters
in positive direction.” (“Arifi: International
mediation for crisis resolution is possible”,
TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Blerim Bedzeti, Minister of Justice,
believes conditions for democratic and
fair local elections are fulfilled with
government-proposed amendments to the
Electoral Code. Remaining OSCE/ODIHR
recommendations will be implemented
in time for other regular elections. On
this account, he believes the opposition
should not boycott March elections.
In an interview for TV Alfa, Minister
Bedzeti claims that the judiciary is fully
autonomous, not controlled by political
entities or himself. (TV Alfa, prime-time
news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Analysts Vladimir Misev and Albert Musliu
are of the opinion that local elections’
boycott as announced by the opposition
would not cause any effect. Musliu says
problems should be solved at the table.
128
According to Misev, SDSM needs to
participate in local elections if it wishes to
prepare the grounds for better results on
the parliamentary elections. (TV Alsat M,
news programme)
ƒƒ Vladimir Misev: “In my opinion, early
parliamentary elections are not in the best
interest of the opposition, i.e., SDSM. I
believe it has a good chance of winning
local elections in a number of towns, or
keeping the mayor positions where good
candidates already perform this office
which, of course, is good preparation
for the regular parliamentary elections.
The situation they try to create is not
working and cannot prepare the terrain
for change in ratings of political parties.”
Albert Musliu (translation from Albanian
language): “A compromise is needed,
because the opposition is determined to
defend its positions and refuses to accept
to move further if a solution is not reached.
In the following weeks, dialogue should be
initiated between the two sides and will
surely imply mediation on the part of the
international community. Positions of both,
ruling majority and opposition, need to be
changed. Governing majority holds great
responsibility in that regard, because it is
responsible for society’s development.”
(TV Alsat M, news programme)
ƒƒ Did announcements to boycott elections
create discord in SDSM? Mayors and MPs
have a bitter pill to swallow. (“SDSM in
turmoil!?”, TV Kanal 5 prime-time news
programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Resistance against Crvenkovski’s
resistance. No unity in SDSM with respect
to boycott of local elections. Leader’s
personal decision pushed the party into
abyss. Culmination of the maxim: You’re
either SDSM or against it. (TV Sitel, primetime news programme at 19:00 hours)
ƒƒ Roberto Belicanec: “If somebody declares
to be neutral on the question formulated
in that manner, then most certain is that
the person is not neutral. In such case,
they are idiots in terms of Aristotle’s
classification: idiots are those who refuse
to participate in politics.” According to
all surveys, Crvenkovski cannot count on
votes of 30% politically neutral citizens.
(TV Sitel, prime-time news programme at
19:00 hours)
8th January 2013
ƒƒ Stage one before boycott. What are socialdemocrats’ conditions to participate in
elections? (TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Late this evening on the extraordinary
meeting of the Central Committee in
extended composition, social-democrats
are defining conditions under which they
will lift elections’ boycott. Party sources
do not exclude the possibility that
tonight’s mini congress will end with a
conclusion not to participate in elections.
(“Extraordinary meetings of SDSM’s Central
Committee”, TV 24 Vesti, prime-time news
programme at 20:00 hours)
ƒƒ SDSM holds a meeting about local
elections. Protests continue. (TV Alfa,
prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ One possible option is for Crvenkovski to
deliver conditions deemed unacceptable
for the governing majority, after which
SDSM will definitely refuse to participate
in local elections, which is unacceptable
for the international community, as
Brussels already announced its opposition
to boycott of Parliament and elections.
VMRO-DPMNE says local elections will be
held in the regular term with or without
SDSM. (“On Central Committee’s meeting
at 19:00 hours, SDSM will decide whether
to participate in local elections”, TV Kanal
5 prime-time news programme at 19:00
hours)
ƒƒ Which party fraction will prevail? Zaev’s
fraction to participate in elections or the
stubborn fraction to boycott elections?
It is expected that debates will continue
well into late hours. Party sources inform
that discussions are held in atmosphere
of conspiracy and only Crvenkovski
and his close associates know the final
outcome. According to diplomatic circles,
the international community is perplexed
with the demand for technical government.
(MRT1, prime-time news programme on
the Public Broadcasting Service at 19:30
hours)
129
ƒƒ Tonight’s Central Committee meeting is
scheduled to begin immediately after
the protest that started half an hour ago
in downtown Skopje. Tonight’s protest,
organized simultaneously in several towns,
includes civil parliaments with publicly
raised questions for the Government
around problems in the country. (TV Telma,
prime-time news programme at 18:30
hours)
ƒƒ Trajko Veljanoski’s replacement could
be the most acceptable option for the
opposition to return in Parliament and
participate in local elections. (“SDSM
proposes compromise to end the political
crisis: Speaker out, opposition back in
Parliament”, Den)
ƒƒ After announcing a boycott of local
elections, likely is that Crvenkovski will
have change of heart and deliver new
demands for participation in March
elections. (“Crvenkovski has second
thoughts about the boycott?! Branko to
deliver new wish-list for participation in
elections”, Vecer)
ƒƒ Government of trust. New ministers of
police, justice and finances – condition for
new elections delivered by Crvenkovski.
Governing majority did not respond.
Experts are divided: some consider this
condition to be blackmail, others see
a possibility to reanimate democracy.
(“Crvenkovski calls for negotiations”, TV
24 Vesti, prime-time news programme at
20:00 hours)
ƒƒ Today, a “unity” with VMRO-DPMNE can
be achieved only if SDSM decides to selfdisband, if Branko sets himself on fire,
and if the entire critically-oriented public
understands and accepts that Gruevski
is the most beautiful, smartest and most
capable politician… Gruevski is not a
leader, but a dictator, who has no capacity
to make compromises and unite the
nation. (Branko Geroski, “Let’s All Agree
that Grujo is the Most Beautiful One”,
Fokus, pg. 2)
130
9th January 2013
131
0132
How 24Vesti experienced the news –
The extraordinary events from the
fairs
perspective of the current af
television 24Vesti
0133
Sead Rizvanovik
News editor at TV 24Vesti
How 24Vesti experienced the news
– The extraordinary events from
the perspective of the current
affairs television 24Vesti
23rd December 2012, Sunday
Problems with
the adoption of
the 2013 state
budget began when
the opposition
demanded
budget cuts on
expenditure items
by around 200
million EUR.
134
In terms of news and current affairs, media outlets consider Sundays as
the most boring working days. It is a day when line ministers, by default,
“remind” the public about various trivial projects, which are part and
parcel of their day-to-day duties, and tend to promote and emphasize
such achievements exactly on these days. They, just as the municipalities
and some organizations, are quite aware of the fact that Sunday “gaps”
in the current affairs programmes provide an excellent opportunity for
transforming all sorts of stupidities into news-worthy material. Even
the journalists have their criteria lowered on Sundays. Truth to be told,
journalists who uphold high reporting criteria are a rarity nowadays, but
that is a different story altogether. That Sunday, 23rd December, was no
different. News of the day included MOI’s criminal charges against two
persons on the grounds of weapon-smuggling; the Health Insurance Fund
made a spectacular and surprising announcement that it is instituting
second shift working hours for services in direct contact with clients;
again, the police was unable to identify the perpetrators who stoned
the trains; and couple of joyous news heralding the upcoming holiday
season, including the tradition on oak tree branches collection on Vodno,
in preparation for the Orthodox Christmas Eve.
Unusual for Sundays, that day the Parliament was working at full speed.
My colleague Filip Gjurcinovski, who during that period was tasked to
report from the Parliament, was rewarded with a working weekend. The
general atmosphere was heated up with activities concerning the budget
adoption, the opposition’s opposition to budget adoption, bickering at
the parliamentary committee on legislative matters, and the broken nail
of the committee’s chair, MP from the ruling VMRO-DPMNE. Problems
with the adoption of the 2013 state budget began when the opposition
demanded budget cuts on expenditure items by around 200 million
EUR. The opposition urged the government to reduce its unproductive
costs, such as funds earmarked for the project “Skopje 2014” or funds
intended for governmental campaigns. Of course, the government
deemed these demands to be unacceptable and accused the opposition
of blocking the budget adoption process, and in that, of attempting to
block normal operation in the entire country. Despite being accused
of shedding budget funds, i.e., citizens’ money, on self-advertising, at
that point in time, the government, through the ruling VMRO-DPMNE
and in cooperation with the pro-governmental media outlets, aired a
series of advertisements where it blamed the opposition of deliberately
blocking the budget adoption process. What we, as journalists, found
to be very shocking is the deliberate placement of a blatant and open
lie, which was served to the public without an ounce of remorse, and
goes as follows: if the budget is not adopted, the state treasury will have
no money to disburse pensions, social allowance or salaries. To make
the lie resonate with truthfulness, it was accompanied by line ministers’
public statements and nicely packed in the form of advertisements.
Government’s propaganda machinery no longer found it necessary to
apply subtle means, but resorted to open and direct lies to manipulate
the nation. Statements of experts indicating that such claims are untrue,
that back in 2004, Nikola Gruevski, from the position of an opposition
party, also blocked the budget adoption in the Parliament, which was
adopted as late as March, were all to no avail. The “truth” of the political
party has become the only official truth.
Hence, on the Sunday before 24th December, the central focus of news
agencies was the discussion in the parliamentary committee on finance
lie, which was
served to the
public without
an ounce of
remorse, and
goes as follows:
if the budget
is not adopted,
the state
treasury will
have no money
to disburse
pensions, social
allowance or
salaries. To
make the lie
resonate with
truthfulness,
it was
accompanied by
line ministers’
public
statements and
nicely packed
in the form of
advertisements.
Government’s
propaganda
machinery no
longer found it
necessary to
apply subtle
means, but
resorted to open
and direct lies
to manipulate
the nation.
135
and budget, i.e., if it had taken place. That was the moment when the
opposition encountered the first surprise. Parliamentary committee’s
chair, Marjanco Nikolov, MP from the opposition SDSM, encountered
closed doors of the meeting hall. According to the opposition,
parliamentary committee’s meeting was scheduled to continue at noon
and its agenda included discussion on opposition’s amendments to the
budget proposal. Asked why the meeting is not taking place and knowing
that in the past days MPs from the ruling coalition were giving marathon
speeches and did not allow parliamentary committee’s work to be
discontinued, our collocutors from SDSM did not know how to respond.
What the journalists found to be suspicious is the fact that there was no
official announcement, not even on the Parliament’s website, that the
working bodies will hold meetings or that a plenary session is scheduled
to take place. In the midst of such uncertainty and the glooming
atmosphere, a colleague from the editorial board called me and told
me that unofficially he had learned that the government is devising a
plan to adopt the budget at all costs. I was bewildered to learn of such
intentions, although anything could be expected from this government,
but the question remained on how are they to succeed in it.
- Well, Speaker Veljanoski will inform the Government that relevant
conditions have not been secured for the parliamentary committees
to complete their work within the legally stipulated deadline, which
expires on 24th December, after which the Government will propose a
new, abridged version of the state budget to be adopted in fast-tracked
procedure, during a plenary session on Monday.
- Well OK, I replied, if it is possible in theory, there must be an option for its
actual realization, led by President Ivanov’s wisdom that our democracy
“seems scatterbrained, but functions”. However, I was a bit concerned,
having heard the statement of the Deputy Prime Minister Stavrevski, who
said that the government has a reserve option for budget adoption and
that the state budget will be adopted before New Year’s Eve. Later, all
these events became much clearer, but they were in the past.
The second hint that matters could become very dramatic was the press
release issued by the newly-established “People’s Front”, announced
as association of citizens concerned with the budget’s non-adoption.
This Front announced that on the next day it will take to the streets and
will protest against and demand the opposition to de-block the budget
adoption process. Even the journalists grew accustomed to these one-
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time, one-purpose associations, which – as a rule - spring up in defence
of certain governmental policy, and this Front matched the pattern. This
association’s founders included farmers, artists and sportsmen, so I
guessed it was a matter of one and the same actors, i.e., activists of the
ruling VMRO-DPMNE, who pretended to be redundant workers, social
beneficiaries, farmers, etc., and even included stage artists, who played
the parts of victims. It seemed there is no end to surprises. The opposition
came in public with its own press release, where Igor Ivanovski, MP from
SDSM, announced their suspicions that the government is devising
a plan to adopt the budget in an illegal procedure, by means of partypolice coup, but that the opposition would not allow the budget to be
adopted illegally. MPs from the opposition announced that they would
stay overnight in the Parliament and will not allow the government
to adopt the budget by any manoeuvre whatsoever. Prime Minister
Gruevski requested the opposition to discontinue setting barriers to
budget adoption, because the citizens are living in spasm fearing for the
disbursement of their salaries, pensions, social allowances. In his speech,
Gruevski did not refer to experts’ claims that it is matter of lies. In the
late afternoon of that Sunday, SDSM’s central presidency held an urgent
meeting. While waiting for the conclusions from this meeting, a colleague
from the TV station called me and told me that SDSM has decided not to
allow the budget’s adoption at all costs and that a mass of people, led
by SDSM’s leader Branko Crvenkovski, is headed towards the Parliament.
That information triggered the red alert in the news editorial board at
TV 24Vesti. Previous exchanges and bickering within the parliamentary
committees, unofficial information about what the government and the
opposition might do, were pushed from the headlines. Mass of people
that is heading towards the Parliament, especially knowing that they are
from the line of the opposition, constituted an event that must not remain
unreported in the media, in a proper manner nonetheless. For us, more
important was the fact that people started to gather in the late evening
hours, which was an additionally worrying circumstance. An immediate
decision was made to set up a life-feed link in front of the Parliament for
journalists to be able to report from the spot and to be atop the situation
at all times. Starting from the evening news programme at 22.00 hours
on 23rd December, TV 24Vesti started to follow the situation unveiling in
front of the Parliament. At moments like this, the major issue is who will
stand among the crowd to report in these crucial times. Because of my
status of on-duty editor for tomorrow’s news programme, I was unable to
MPs from the
opposition
announced that
they would
stay overnight
in the
Parliament and
will not allow
the government
to adopt the
budget by any
manoeuvre
whatsoever.
137
assume that role. The journalist who regularly reports from the Parliament
was also spared because of his pending duty to report from tomorrow’s
session in the Parliament, while the on-duty crew was already tired.
Everybody was surprised to see television’s editor-in-chief, Bobi Hristov,
appear on the screen at 22.00 hours on Sunday evening and later at
midnight. Microphone in his hands, in a reporting style of his own, Bobi
informed the public that people are gathering in front of the Parliament,
and later interviewed SDSM’s President, Branko Crvenkovski, in live
during the news programme. Asked why the opposition has decided to
take such steps, Crvenkovski said:
- We came here, in front of the Parliament, because the government has
made an illegal and unconstitutional decision and acts contrary to the
Rules of Procedures. We are not going to allow the Constitution and the
laws to be violated. Both, MPs inside the Parliament and the people
outside, will not allow the budget to be adopted in this manner. We will
stay here, in front of the Parliament, and tomorrow I call all citizens to join
us in the efforts to prevent such thing from happening.
At that time, I thought: People’s Front has decided to go against the
opposition; the opposition is gathering against the government;
tomorrow will be an eventful day in front of the Parliament. And indeed,
it was.
24th December 2012, Monday
Journalism recognizes a situation which is both wished for and feared
from. Every journalist wants to have something to write about, and
naturally, the more tempestuous the event, higher the ratings. On the
other hand, the most dramatic events are – as a rule – the most distressing
events for a given group of stakeholders. Usually, these events imply
that somebody would end up hurt. From that perspective, the “Black”
Monday was building up to be abounding in working “material” for the
media, but – as proved later – the anticipated events turned out to be
beyond all expectations. I had the fortune to be the editor of the news
programme for 24th December, and because of tensed developments in
front of the Parliament, I appeared on my job post before 08.00 hours
in the morning. Following a short briefing with the editor-in-chief, Bobi
Hristov, a decision was made to break the regular programme with
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breaking news slot at 09.00 hours, as well as to run news updates on the
hour, with live-feed link from the Parliament. Of course, a dilemma was
raised whether we would be able to accomplish this task, as we all know
too well what hourly news updates imply, especially when it is a matter
of events that are changing by the minute. However, such dilemmas are
ephemeral knowing that the circumstances do not allow any other form
of broadcasting, because literally anything can happen in front of the
Parliament. For the purpose of being able to cover all aspects, the editorial
board decided to send two field journalists to report from the crowds of
government’s supporters and opposition’s supporters, and to have one
journalist reporting from the Parliament. MPs from the opposition have
already spent the night inside the building and announced that they
would not defer from their plan to prevent the government from adopting
the budget in such manner. First breaking news broadcast brought the
first technical problems caused by “force majeure”. The live-feed link that
should have allowed broadcasting of events in front of the Parliament
experienced certain technical problems, because the police did not allow
24Vesti’s field vehicle to be parked in a certain position. We immediately
reorganized ourselves and send the materials recorded in the morning to
the TV station’s building, and I arranged for my colleague Filip Gjurcinovski
to report live in the news programme via a telephone link. Filip provided
a detailed description of the opposition’s supporters gathered in front of
the Parliament, and that they were surrounded on both sides by members
of the newly-established “People’s Front”. Physical attacks occurred early
in the morning, when a group of government’s supporters favouring the
budget’s adoption at all costs attacked the opposition’s supporters. The
groups were separated by means of police intervention, but in the midst
of it a 77-years old man was injured by a stone thrown in his direction.
From inside the Parliament, my colleague Misko Ivanov informed that
opposition MPs have blocked the entrance to the plenary hall and are
not allowing anybody to enter the hall and start the plenary session.
First breaking news of the day brought a preview of events to follow,
and our editorial board was surprised with the turnout of government’s
supporters on the streets. At that time a thought crossed my mind: if the
government is able to bring so many people to batter their fellow citizens,
without an ounce of remorse, we have all the reasons to fear. That meant
that the ruling party will defend its position with all means available,
using the special police forces in front of the Parliament and the alleged
supporters favouring the budget adoption. In such circumstances, we
139
received news that the government has adopted
the amended draft budget for 2013 at the session
held the previous night, and it had forwarded it
to the Parliament for adoption. This information
confirmed the forecasts made the previous day
that the government will adopt the budget at all
costs. What is strange is that later, neither the
opposition MPs nor the journalists saw the letter on
returning the budget proposal to the government,
or the government’s new draft budget, allegedly
submitted to Trajko Veljanovski. These documents
were not seen by anybody, but we remain hopeful
that one day an independent commission will
be able to make an insight in the parliamentary
archives and reveal the mechanisms of that
operation, in order to establish to what extent
were the Rules of Procedure and the laws violated.
24 Vesti’s team was also surprised to see the live
broadcast of our editor Bobi Hristov in the news
programme. Among the line of pro-opposition and
pro-governmental crowds, Hristov was interviewing
the people about their motives for taking to the
streets. That is how the most hilarious reply of the
day was caught on camera. After being threatened
that our camera will be broken, the crew asked a
pro-governmental protester to explain the reason
for his protest. He replied: to have the budget
adopted. Bobi followed up with a question about
what would happen if the budget is not adopted;
would that mean that there will be no money, to
which the protester answered that money is not a
problem, Macedonia will always have money. With
a wry smile on our faces, it was at that particular
moment that we understood that these people
have been ordered to take to the streets by their
political party, that they do not know what they are
protesting against, but are nevertheless prepared
to fight anybody, be it opposition party members
and journalists, just as their ideological mentors
140
141
– from the position of power - are prepared to fight anybody, which was
later proved in practice.
First attempts to spin the day’s events came with the announcement
issued by the Parliament’s Speaker Trajko Veljanovski, wherein he
indicated that opposition MPs did not participate in the coordination
meeting he had previously summoned. The opposition dismissed this
statement as ridiculous and requested Veljanovski to respect the law and
the Constitution, rather than to write political party announcements. As
the events of the day continued, the opposition came forth with unusual
complaints that their buses had been halted on Macedonian roads and
are prevented to reach their final destination. I immediately reacted and
send the first journalist not engaged in any task to the exit route towards
Kumanovo, from where he reported live during the news programme and
took the statement of the Mayor of Kumanovo, Zoran Damjanovski – Cic. In
his dramatic appeal, Damjanovski warned that his freedom of movement
is limited and that the police have no right to halt him and thousands of
citizens of Kumanovo who were headed to the protests in Skopje. From
Veles, we broadcasted in live Ace Kocevski’s statement, who said that
the buses were released under the threat of blocking the international
highway. From Ohrid, we broadcasted an amateur video footage taken
with a mobile phone which shows how the police halt the opposition’s
buses. What we noted was that once this footage was broadcasted in the
news programme, the police started to release the buses. One cannot
know whether that was coincidental or not. Around noon, Misko Ivanov
reported that all hell broke loose inside the Parliament, i.e., that the
parliament’s security service managed to evacuate Speaker Veljanovski
from the plenary hall and that MPs from SDSM, Vesna Bendevska and
Biljana Kazandziska, had been injured in the clashes. Most probably,
this information quickly reached the crowd outside the Parliament and
both groups started throwing various objects at each other, leaving us
with a premonition that an open conflict could unfold at any moment.
In the storm of various information coming from different sources, we
learned that the police have detained a Skopje citizen, N.GJ. who goes
under the alias Komadant Koki and is the leader of a fan group close to
the opposition party, while my colleagues in the field reported that that
the crowd on the side of the pro-governmental “People’s Front” includes
members of security agencies in civilian attire. In the meantime, we rearranged the news team and decided Filip Gjurcinovski, who works as a
reporter from the Parliament, to enter the building and Misko Ivanov to
142
return to the editorial desk, and also to have Marina Uzunov follow up
on the protests. It was at this moment that we learned the first shocking
news. Visibly shaken, Filip Gjurcinovski informed me that the journalists
have been expelled from the plenary hall. First I found it difficult to
understand what he was saying and misinterpreted it as the plenary
session’s discontinuation. Aware of the fact that such an action can be
pursued only by means of two-thirds majority votes and knowing that the
opposition is not in the Parliament, the odds for such a decision were
slim to non-existing. Nevertheless, Filip Gjurcinovski’s words were loud
and clear. He said:
- The security service entered the gallery and forcefully expelled us. Naser
Selmani refused to leave the gallery and held on to the handrails, but he
was taken by the arms and forcefully evicted.
Unrest gloomed over the editorial board. For the first time in our careers,
both young and more experienced journalists have been faced with such
situation. We instantly started contacting experts to consult them about
the circumstances under which journalists can be expelled from the
Parliament. They were unanimous in their answers; journalists cannot
be expelled from their job posts, unless a decision has been taken by
the Parliament to hold a closed session. At that moment, Filip went out
to the crowds and with a dramatic voice asked to be broadcasted live
in the news. At that time, we were in-between two news updates and
were broadcasting a different programme, but we reacted instantly. We
interrupted the regular programme with live breaking news from the
streets outside the Parliament. The news concerned the fact that a group
of opposition members has broken the police cordon and was headed
towards the Parliament. Images of the special police forces’ intervention
and people’s withdrawal were broadcasted. Information that followed
brought some clarity to the situation.
Opposition MPs sent us their first amateur footage taken with mobile
phones that showed how the parliament’s security officers are tugging
and hauling opposition MPs and evicted them from the hall. Of course, we
were all shocked to core. Instantly. I instinctively asked myself: if they are
tugging MPs elected by the people, who enjoy parliamentary immunity;
if they use the police for such purpose, what are they prepared to do to
common citizens, journalists, non-governmental activists, anybody they
dislike? The footage depicted pregnant women being tugged, Sekerinska
being dragged as a rag, although she had an injured foot, but they also
143
depicted the Minister of Interior, Gordana Jankulovska, in the role of a
silent observer, and the Minister of Finance, Zoran Stavrevski, signalling
the police officers to continue throwing out his colleagues as trash bags.
Another surprise awaited 24Vesti’s news team during the short lunch
break, when we logged on the social networks (Facebook and Twitter)
and saw what was being posted there. Numerous people had posted
that only TV 24Vesti had eyes to see what had been unfolding in front
of the Parliament. A colleague from the Association of Journalists in
Macedonia (AJM) called me on the phone and said: “You are great. We sit
in front of the TV set and watch 24Vesti’s news programme. You are top
professionals.” Honestly, at that moment, we were still unaware of the
awe we are causing in public. We only did our job and informed about
what is going on, but later I learned that TV 24Vesti was the only media
outlet with a live-feed link from the streets. Truly shocking.
In the afternoon, opposition’s leader Crvenkovski, in a dramatic speech
in front of the Parliament announced that the opposition is withdrawing
from and will boycott the Parliament’s work. He said that the Constitution
and the laws had been violated, that from today the government has no
legitimacy and that the opposition will start to organize mass protests.
At that moment, we decided to discontinue the live-feed link because
the mass started to self-disband. Shortly afterwards, AJM came in public
with an announcement that it is terminating all negotiations with the
government and requests the responsible instances to be sanctioned for
journalists’ eviction. To this moment, when I am writing this text, nobody
has assumed responsibility for that act, and the single explanation
offered to the public was Trajko Veljanoski’s statement that the security
service has made an independent assessment in favour of evicting the
journalists from the gallery. Of course, we all heard the comment offered
by VMRO-DPMNE’s MP, Blagorodna Dulik, who said that there was
imminent risk that some journalist might throw the camera at the MPs in
the hall.
Later that night, in his direct television address, Prime Minister Gruevski
claimed that the opposition had attempted a coup d’état, but did not
provide any information whether MOI has raised criminal charges for
that act. He also expressed his regret for the journalists’ eviction, but
did not say who will bear the responsibility for it. His gratitude to the
“spontaneously” gathered people, who came to defend the budget’s
adoption.
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25th December 2012 – An
Epilogue
As early as the next day, TV 24Vesti
resumed it normal operation. With a welltrained stomach, we managed to inform
and read the press release issued by MOI
stating that opposition MPs should bear
the guilt for what had happened to them,
the press release issued by the ruling DUI
that the budget should not be the bone
of contention for political battles and the
opinions expressed by pro-governmental
experts saying that all events were legal
and that the opposition has only itself to
blame for being battered. Of course, much
later, we learned that in the Parliament
MPs from the opposition had their voting
cards taken away, a development that must
be clarified by some future government.
What we all agreed at our editorial board
and what was later confirmed by our
colleagues, TV 24Vesti – which aspires to
be a news channel, i.e., a Macedonian CNN
- has passed the test. At times of crisis,
it reacted as it should have. Moreover,
we knew that 24th December is a turning
point in terms of political developments in
Macedonia. We knew that nothing would
be the same after the “Black Monday”.
145
Katerina Canevska - Arsovska
Parliament’s Gallery:
PUBLIC or PURGATORY
On that 24th December, same as any other working day, reporters,
journalists, cameramen and photographers all gathered in the gallery.
MPs from the ruling majority had already entered the plenary hall,
while MPs from the opposition entered from the side-entrance. Clashes
started, Speaker Veljanoski was taken outside by the security officers,
two women MPs from the opposition were injured, and all media outlets
recorded these developments.
Suddenly, a security officer entered and told us to leave the gallery. Not
once have journalists and cameramen been removed from the gallery in
the past. We have not attended the plenary sessions only when gallery
seats had been reserved for the representatives of the diplomatic corps.
Some colleagues started leaving the gallery, but we immediately objected
by saying that we cannot be thrown out and prevented to do our jobs.
For media representatives to be removed from a plenary session, MPs
must first adopt a decision by voting, and such motion must be supported
by two-thirds majority votes, i.e., 82 MPs must vote in favour of such
motion. This did not happen, and thus nobody ha s the right to evict the
media from the Parliament.
Ten minutes later, several security officers came in and again attempted
to order us to leave immediately by raising their voice at us. This time as
well, we stayed put. A reaction came from Naser Selmani, President of
AJM, who was at the gallery as well. He requested to see Veljanoski’s Chief
of Cabinet and inquire about what is happening, as well as to indicate
that nobody can prevent journalists in doing their jobs. Selmani tried to
reason with the Director of VMRO-DPMNE’s Communication Centre, Ilija
Dimovski, who was present in the hall, but his plea fell on deaf ears.
Some of us (journalists) SMS-ed Dimovski who was seated in the hall
below us, but he did not respond. He did not even turn his head in our
direction, although we attempted to attract his attention by shouting.
Shortly afterwards, our cell phones were blocked, we could not make
calls and we had our Internet access disconnected too.
In the third attempt, security officers, now reinforced, literally started
tugging the journalists and throwing them out of the gallery. Selmani,
146
together with several other colleagues, was pushed and tugged in
inappropriate, brutal and unprecedented manner. I remained the last
one in the gallery. Two women security officers grabbed me by my arms
and brutally hauled me towards the exit, while a person, for whom I was
later informed was their boss, yelled at me: “Who do you work for?” He
as well joined the other officers in hauling me. I told him not to touch me
and to stop pushing me. I was shocked when he turned to threaten me,
saying: “Not now, but time will come when I’ll touch you and push you.”
I was dragged out of the gallery by force. The same gentleman said: “Go
ahead and prove that I have said what I have said.” I am certain that this
gentleman is not an employee of Parliament’s security service. I have
worked as parliamentary reporter for twenty years, I have reported from
other parliaments as well, and I have observed the elections. Never have
I been attacked in such manner. I have reported live during the armed
conflict and nearly got shot in Tetovo, but I have never experienced
anything of this kind. I spoke to some members of the Parliament’s
security service and told them I understand that they were only doing
their job, but no one had the right to forcefully haul the journalists, or
worse still, to threaten them, as was done by their boss or chief. The
bruises and sores I was inflicted caused me pain for several days.
“Not now, but
time will come
when I’ll
touch you and
push you.”
We were all aware that tensions were building up in the Parliament for the
last two weeks, but nobody expected this to happen. Nobody is allowed
to attack the journalists. Last Saturday, only because I “dared” to raise a
question, an MP from the ruling majority answered with a question and
labelled me as journalist close to the opposition. Later, in an informal
conversation, I was informed that I would be a subject of his newspaper
column.
What disappointed me the most was the fact that I did not hear a
word about the violence exerted against the journalists on the public
broadcasting service (MTV) and on some privately-owned TV stations with
national coverage. They remained silent, as if it had never happened, but
the following day broadcasted the “regret” expressed by state leaders
for this unfortunate event. Unprofessionally and unbefitting for fellow
journalists.
147
Ubavka Janevska
Roadblocks
On the morning of 24th December, SDSM members and supporters
from different towns headed to Skopje, in order to protest in front of
the Parliament of Republic of Macedonia. The protest was organized to
support opposition MPs in their efforts to prevent adoption of 2013 state
budget, as well as their commitment to push for budget savings and
prevent taking of new loans with foreign creditors.
The police seized the opposition’s buses, and social-democrats blocked
the highway. These dramatic events happened early in the morning on
24th December 2012, around 08:00 hours, on the Veles-Skopje highway.
When reporting crews arrived on the exit route from Veles, the atmosphere
was already aggravated. Activists from the opposition SDSM, together
with the candidate for Mayor of Veles, Ace Kocevski, and cordon of
people, were blocking the road and singing the national anthem. A long
line of vehicles were prevented to continue their journey. Buses that they
have boarded [SDSM members and supporters] less than one hour ago in
the centre of Veles, in order to attend protests in front of the Parliament
in Skopje, were gone. Several activists from the opposition approached
the journalists and informed them that the police ordered them to get off
under the auspices that buses have to undergo extraordinary technical
inspection. Then, the buses were referred to technical inspection.
“You have double standards, you allowed VMRO-marked buses and cars
to pass, and halted ours without an explanation,” SDSM activists said to
the police.
Some of them argued with the police saying that the main culprits for
the chaos created in the country are Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and
Minister of Interior Gordana Jankulovska, who ordered buses to be halted
so as to prevent their timely arrival in Skopje for the protests. Others
complained that they were attacked by enraged drivers. Car drivers, on
the other hand, complained about being stuck in the roadblock.
“My button was ripped off… I am Vanco Trifunov, State Secretary in the
Ministry of Economy. Today, on my way to work, gentlemen led by Ace
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Kocevski pounded on my car, and one of them grabbed my cell phone,
but – persuaded by his friends – returned it,” said Trifunov.
“He should be ashamed for telling lies; I did not take his cell phone!
There are so many people here, let them say if I had taken anything,”
replied the concerned activist from SDSM.
The number of vehicles in the line increased because new vehicles were
constantly arriving. Some drivers reacted to being forced to stop their
journey, but others justified the protest saying: “This is a disaster, both
for us and for them. What kind of democracy is this?”
“You have
double
standards,
you allowed
VMRO-marked
buses and cars
to pass, and
halted ours
without an
explanation,”
Journalists asked the mayor candidate from the opposition’s coalition,
Ace Kocevski, what was happening on the highway and why activists
from SDSM were not in Skopje. This was his reply:
“It all started when we arrived by bus at the petrol station ‘Makpetrol’
in the place called Stipsko Dzade. We were stopped by the traffic police,
and there were an unusually large number of policemen. I was at the
head of the line. They checked our documents and ­only after I persisted
– informed us that buses will be referred to extraordinary technical
inspection. When I asked why they apply double standards, knowing
that they allowed buses transporting counter-protesters to continue
the journey towards Skopje, they responded that it does not depend on
them and that they only carry out orders. I warned them that they are
discriminating and that if they do not return our buses in 5 minutes, we
will block the road. That is why we blocked the road. Later I repeated
the condition that if they do not return our buses in another 5 minutes,
we will block the highway. As they did not fulfil what we asked them
to in the next 5 minutes, I led the group on foot and we blocked the
highway. The first car we halted was the one with the State Secretary
of the Ministry of Economy in it. We did not know who he was. I stood
in front of the approaching car. He was persistent, he refused to stop.
He hit me a little with his bumper, as he was driving slowly. I hit his car
hood with both hands and then he stopped, rolled down his window and
provoked a small incident with our activists. We halted all vehicles on
149
the highway and only let ambulances and cars with sick people pass.
Several uniformed police officers whom I did not know approached me.
They asked me if I knew that the highway was an international road
and that we could not block it. I replied that I knew and that we would
unblock the highway as soon as we had our buses returned. Many cars
and people gathered. They were from Strumica, Bitola, and other towns.
We were within a hair’s breadth of major incidents. We negotiated with
the traffic police’s commander and I agreed to only block buses and
let other vehicles pass. The commander confided in me, saying that he
alone had taken the decision to halt buses without having orders issued
from above,” said Kocevski.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Several SDSM activists from
Veles were asked to give statements. Dimce Klimkarov said:
“We were told to get off the bus and wait, while buses carrying government
supporters, comprised of public administration employees, employees at
public utilities enterprise ‘Derven’, Factory for Railway Vehicles ‘Kolska’,
Forest Economy Enterprise ‘Babuna’, employees at schools, hospital and
other state institutions, who were supposed to be at work today, were
passing before our eyes.”
We are enraged. We organized blocks in order to have our buses returned
so we could continue our journey, i.e., to attend peaceful protest in front
of the Parliament. We cannot believe the selective approach pursued
by the police by allowing buses transporting administration employees
pass, while redirecting our buses to technical inspection.
“I have to say that the police did not take violent actions against us.
They said they were only following orders. We did not cause any physical
incidents, but we were involved in verbal incidents with government’s
supporters. In spite of police’s signalization to stop, drivers of their
buses continued to drive at low speed, and therefore we had to stand in
their way,” said Klimkarov.
Several women SDSM supporters from Veles were the first to block the
route of buses transporting political opponents.
“We also had problems with the police in front of the National Store in
Veles, however we managed to depart. After driving for two kilometers, at
the petrol station ‘Makpetrol’, our buses were halted, and redirected for
150
technical inspection. We reached the highway on foot, but, down there,
at St. Petka’s Chapel, we saw buses of VMRO-DPMNE supporters coming
from the village Basino selo and taking to the highway. I was the first
to stand in front of the first bus, determined to obstruct its way. Others
were shouting at me to move away, but I decided to keep standing even
when the bus approached me with low speed. I shouted: ‘Go ahead, hit
me! My father sacrificed his life for Macedonia as well! So what if you hit
me? I won’t go to Skopje, but neither will you!’ The other women stood
next to me, too. I told them to lie down on the asphalt and they obeyed.
Then, Kocevski rushed in and started persuading us to stay clear of the
highway. Finally, I couldn’t help but obeying his advice and stepped
aside. Others followed. I assure you, if it hadn’t been for him, I would
have lain on the road and watched them find a solution to go round,”
said Cveta Todorovska.
Line of halted vehicles increased in length, because cars and buses from
Stip, Stumica, Bitola and other towns were arriving and were headed to
Skopje. Another bus arrived with SDSM party activists from Strumica,
including Marjan Daskalovski. He led the group of opposition supporters.
“The police halted our bus at the place called ‘Tri Cesmi’ near Stip. The
driver was instructed to take the bus to technical inspection, but we
opposed. Arguments broke out since we were persistent, and refused
to let the bus go back to Stip. The tense situation culminated in rough
pushing around, and the police tore my jacket sleeve. We refused to let
go, as it was unacceptable to allow twelve buses from Strumica headed
to Skopje to end up in Stip. We travelled in the second bus, and there
were ten other buses behind us. Now I am trying to locate the first bus.
My party fellows informed me by cell phone that it was also halted here
near Veles. I also want to say that we are not bullies and we do nothing
wrong by going to peaceful people’s protests in Skopje. Is it possible in
a democratic society to halt buses carrying opposition supporters, while
allowing buses with government supporters pass? They too are going to
attend protests in Skopje,” said Daskalovski.
Almost hour and a half later, buses of SDSM members from Veles
returned on the highway from technical inspection. The roadblock was
immediately lifted. They continued their way to Skopje, same as buses
of SDSM supporters from other towns in Eastern Macedonia, and then
traffic resumed normal flow.
151
152
153
Civil society
REACTION
CEM19
CEM demand resignation from Veljanoski, Jankulovska and Gruevski
Citizens for European Macedonia (CEM) demand the resignation
from the President of Parliament, Trajko Veljanoski, on the grounds of
allowing Police intrusion of the Parliament, thus violently destroying the
Constitutional order in the Republic of Macedonia. Trajko Veljanoski’s
responsibility is reflected in the following facts: 1) The violation of Article 70 of the Constitution of the Republic of
Macedonia: “Sessions of the Parliament shall be public. The Parliament
may decide to work without public scrutiny only by means of a decision
adopted by two-thirds majority vote from the total number of MPs”.
Without such a decision (for the absence of public scrutiny), Trajko
Veljanoski in effect enabled the violent eviction of journalists from the
Parliament at the time of adoption of the Law on the General Budget. 2) The violation of ten other articles of the Constitution that stipulate the
rights of MPs and their term of office. By enabling the violent expulsion
of a group of MPs from Parliament during a plenary session, Trajko
Veljanoski suspended their constitutional rights and degraded their term
of office. 3) The violation of the Law on Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia,
especially Article 43, paragraph 3: “As regards disturbing the order within
the Parliament by MPs or by external persons who participate in the work
of the Parliament, a decision shall be taken and measures shall be issued
by the President of Parliament, upon previous consultations with the Vice
Presidents and the coordinators of the parliamentary groups”. Trajko
19 http://www.gem.org.mk/vesti/1297-gem-bara-ostavki-od-veljanoski-jankulovska-i-gruevski
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Veljanoski made a frivolous decision to implement measures without
previous consultations with the Vice Presidents and the coordinators of
the parliamentary groups, while some of them were forcefully expelled
from the Parliament’s hall, together with other MPs from the opposition. 4) The breach of numerous provisions of the Rules of Procedure of the
Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia. Trajko Veljanoski exceeded his
authority by ordering the violent removal of oppositional MPs from the
plenary session. Namely, “the President of the Parliament shall terminate
the address of a MP, when the latter, by delivering his/her address,
has violated the order, and when during the same plenary session he/
she has been warned on two occasions to comply with the order at the
session” (Article 92, paragraph 2 of the Rules of Procedure). In addition,
“the President of the Parliament shall remove the MP concerned in cases
when he/she despite the warning or despite having his/her address cut
short, the MP continues to disturb the order and uses vocabulary that is
unbefitting for the Parliament’s dignity. The MP who has been removed
from the session, shall be obliged to immediately leave the hall where
the session is taking place. If the President of the Parliament is unable
to maintain the order at the session, he/she shall call for a short break
of the session in process” (Article 93 of the Rules of Procedure). Trajko
Veljanoski issued an order for violent eviction of most oppositional
MPs without issuing previous warnings and without even attempting
to maintain the order of the session by calling for a short break. Concerning the Minister of Interior, Gordana Jankulovska, CEM demand
her resignation on the grounds of:
1. Preventing public gathering by the Police that applied unequal
treatment (halting and redirecting the rout of some buses, while
allowing the buses with pro-governmental demonstrators to go
through). Subsequently, a large group of citizens were unable to
exercise their right to peaceful protest in front of the Parliament. 2. Excessive use of force on the part of MOI during the protests in front
of the Parliament.
155
3. Violation of the Constitution by aggressively evicting the public from
the parliamentary session, in the absence of a relevant decision taken
by the Parliament with a two-thirds majority vote. 4. Violation of the Constitution by forcefully evicting elected MPs from
the parliamentary session, in the absence of relevant decision on
withdrawal of MP’s term of office, or relevant decision on evicting a
MP (in compliance with the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament). 5. Manipulating the public by spreading the rumour that MOI succeeded
in “preventing a violent jam and destruction of the state order” and
by actively participating in the brutal destruction of state order by
means of pursuing an unconstitutional intrusion in the Parliament
– by expelling the public and the legitimately elected MPs from the
parliamentary session. Concerning the Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, CEM demand his
resignation on the grounds of:
1. Violation of fundamental values enshrined in the Constitutional
order (violation of the principle on power-sharing by the legislative,
executive and judicial authorities, while the violent eviction of MPs by
governmental officers constitutes violates the political pluralism and
undermines the will of the citizens expressed on direct elections). 2. Violation of the right to peaceful protest and the right to free access to
information, the freedom on receiving and disseminating information,
as well as the introduction of censorship at the public broadcasting
service, all prohibited by the Constitution. 3. Introduction of Police dictatorship in the Republic of Macedonia, by
assuming absolute control over the legislative branch of government
which according to the Constitution is competent to oversee
Government’s performance. The violent suspension of the legislative power by the executive power
is a feature common for dictatorships. Police eviction of journalists and
opposition MPs from Parliament is a clear indicator of a Police state. On
this account, CEM calls upon all citizens in the Republic of Macedonia
to actively confront Gruevski’s regime and the Police state installed,
by demonstrating civil disobedience and by pursuing other forms of
democratic resistance. We all need to confront the bullies who raped our
democracy and occupied our civil sovereignty by means of police-arranged
156
dislocation of the public and the opposition in front of the Parliament! If
we fail to confront injustice, then we all become accomplices to injustice. Roberto Belicanec, Merselj Biljali, Nikola Gelevski, Branko Geroski,
Vladimir Milcin, Zarko Trajanoski Helsinki Committee for Human Rights20
Attack on the constitutional order of Republic of Macedonia
The Macedonian Helsinki Committee, with great concern, follows
the latest developments in the political scene in Macedonia. On 24th
December 2012, members of the Helsinki Committee, in the capacity
of human rights and civil freedom observers, closely monitored events
unfolding during the protest organized by the People’s Front, on one
side, and the protest organized by members of the opposition, on the
other side.
The Committee seriously condemns violence and hate speech
demonstrated at the gatherings, as they have led to physical injuries. In
that, although the policemen, to a large extent, professionally performed
their tasks and duties, several cases were noted where excessive force
was used against citizens who pushed through the police cordon and
where the policemen applied selective apprehension and unnecessary
measures of coercion against two citizens.
Furthermore, once we received media information that violence is being
committed against MPs from the opposition within the Parliament,
Committee’s representatives entered the Parliament and encountered
the visibly upset and crying MPs, with their clothes tattered, one of whom
was unconscious, while several women MPs were being carried out in
order to receive appropriate medical care.
Immediately after these unfortunate events, the plenary session was
opened and implied debate on the proposed budget for 2013, due to
which our representatives headed for the Parliament’s gallery in order
to sit through and monitor the plenary session, however they were not
20 http://www.mhc.org.mk/announcements/95#.UNwzn6x9pSM
157
allowed to do so. Journalists who had gathered at the Parliament and
who had duly registered their attendance on the plenary session were
also prevented to follow the plenary session.
With great concern, the Helsinki Committee notes that these actions
represent an attack on the constitutional order in the Republic of
Macedonia, while the events that unfolded are an unseen, terrible
precedent that is contrary to the fundamental principles of the legal
state and the rule of law. Particularly worrying is the fact that MPs from
the opposition reported that they had been forcefully evicted from the
Parliament’s hall by members of special police units.
The Committee emphasizes that pursuant to the Parliament’s Rules of
Procedure, for the purpose of maintaining the order, the President of the
Parliament can issue an order for a certain MP to be removed from the
plenary session, but not for an entire parliamentary group. This becomes
an even greater violation of the Rules of Procedures knowing that in
case where the order at the plenary session cannot be maintained, the
President of the Parliament must first issue two verbal warnings, and
should they fail to contribute towards order’s reinstatement, he is obliged
to call for a short break.
The Helsinki Committee is in possession of photographic and video
materials from the above-referred events, and they will be presented to
the public in the form of special report.
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TRANSPARENTNOST MK21
Reaction on the occasion of political violence and pressures in the
Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia from 24.12.2012
Transparency Macedonia strongly condemns the violence and the hate
speech, as well as the forceful eviction of opposition MPs from the Parliament
of the Republic of Macedonia. Also, we condemn the violent expulsion of the
journalists from the Parliament.
In an illegal manner and by violating the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure
and the Law on Parliament, the President of the Parliament has presented
the Government with minutes and reports from relevant parliamentary
committees that discussed budget amendments, despite the fact that he
is not authorized to do so if the discussions on amendments submitted
have not been completed, if relevant conclusions are not adopted by the
parliamentary committees and if minutes and reports are not endorsed by
MPs who are members of these committees and the respective committee
chairs. By doing so, the President of the Parliament had flagrantly suspended
the democracy, the laws and the procedures.
The budget was also adopted in an illegal procedure, since before the plenary
session, opposition MPs were physically removed from the hall, which is not
allowed by the constitution or the laws in effect. According to the Law on
Parliament, the President of the Parliament, as a measure of last resort, can
discontinue the plenary session, provided that the conditions for holding the
session have not been secured, but he has no authority beyond that.
Finally, the President of the Parliament flagrantly violated Article 70 of the
Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, which stipulates that sessions of
the Parliament are public by removing the journalists from the Parliament,
without adopting a decision with two-thirds majority votes from the total
number of MPs, as provided in the Constitution, for cases where the Parliament
wishes to work without the public’s presence. In that, the President of the
Parliament abolished public information in the Republic of Macedonia and
moved the already illegal procedure to the political underground.
Transparency Macedonia stresses that these events directly contribute to
regressing the democracy in the Republic of Macedonia and have major
consequences for all citizens in the country.
21 http://www.transparentnost-mk.org.mk/novsajt/?p=1792
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INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS22
Reaction of the Institute for Human Rights on the occasion of yesterday’s
events inside and outside the Parliament
The Institute for Human Rights (IHR) strongly condemns yesterday’s
events inside and outside the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia
and expresses its regret for the attack on the constitutional order in our
state with the events that represent a terrifying precedent contrary to
fundamental principles underlying the legal state and the rule of law.
The Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, as the highest legal
act, guarantees free access to information, freedom to receive and
disseminate information under Article 16, while at the same time
Article 70 stipulates that sessions of the Parliament are public. Right
to free access to information is also guaranteed in other international
documents. On the other hand, Parliament’s Rules of Procedure imply
an obligation on informing the public about the work of the Parliament
and of its working bodies and stipulates a possibility for citizens of
the Republic of Macedonia to follow sessions of the Parliament and its
working bodies from the galleries. Media representatives, in compliance
with the regulations on internal order at the Parliament, can attend
sessions of the Parliament and of its working bodies, for the purpose of
reporting to the public. The brutal and unreasonable eviction of journalists and cameramen
from the Parliament’s gallery by the security services is contrary to the
democratic principles, is in conflict with the internal legal order and the
international standards, and actually officially recognizes and approves
censorship. Journalists’ eviction took place immediately before the start
of the Parliament’s plenary session and thus the public was prevented
from being continuously informed about the Parliament’s work. By
preventing truthful and objective information for the public, the events
that unfolded later and that affect all citizens were hidden from public
scrutiny. Such indecent image depicting the violent eviction of opposition
22 http://www.ihr.org.mk/mk/pocetna/206-reakcija-na-ihr-slucuvanjata-vo-sobranie.html
160
MPs from the Parliament hall ultimately shows disrespect for the citizens
of the Republic of Macedonia, who voted for and elected these MPs, and
is contrary to the principles of democracy.
IHR is appalled with the use of force by members of security services and
MOI against democratically elected representatives of the citizens.
Pluralism in a society allows the use of various forms of expressing own
thoughts, especially when it is a matter of debates and discussions
on governmental policies and on issues of public interest, such as the
adoption of the budget.
IHR finds the behavior and actions taken by the security services
unacceptable and contrary to democratic principles, as they violated
the rights to freedom of thought and expression, disturbed the personal
integrity and limited the freedom of movement of Members of Parliament,
preventing them to perform their work duties in compliance with the
Constitution, the laws and the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure.
IHR condemns the insulting and indecent behavior on the part of certain
representatives of the legislative house, which is unbefitting for the role
and office that should be performed by a MP in the legislative house and
should set an example for the citizens they represent.
IHR expresses serious concerns and condemns the violence and the hate
speech used by people attending yesterday’s protests in front of the
Parliament, as well as the excessive use of force on citizens, selective
apprehension and use of coercion or physical force against two citizens.
The apology to journalists for their eviction from the Parliament at
moments when it was discussing matters of great importance, such as
the 2013 budget, would not suffice and IHR demands the Government to
find the culprits behind these events, and these culprits to assume full
responsibility for their actions.
IHR calls upon the institutions of the system to urgently initiate a procedure
for complete, efficient and detailed determination of responsibility and
use of force against the representatives of the legislative house in the
Republic of Macedonia and requires that the entity who issued the
authorization for use of physical force to be determined, as well as the
procedure applied in that regard. IHR also requires them to determine the
legitimacy, justification and proportionality in the use of physical force
161
against the representatives of the legislative house. On the contrary, the
impression will be created that system institutions are used exclusively
for pursuit of government’s political interests, contrary to the interests of
citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, the legal order and all international
instruments that Macedonia has ratified.
CIVIL23
CHAOS AND VIOLENCE IN MACEDONIA
Today, Macedonia is faced with chaos and violence. Inadmissible is for
security officers in the Macedonian Parliament to physically attack MPs
from the opposition, batter and tug them down the halls.
Today and under the watchful eye of the public and the world, all rules
and principles of the democracy in Macedonia, the Constitution and the
laws are being suspended.
CIVIL – Centre for Freedom seriously condemns the violence exerted on
the citizens, their representatives in the Parliament and the journalists.
We call on reason and restoration of legality and respect for the human
rights and freedoms in the Parliament, in the streets of the capital and
throughout the state.
Government’s representatives and the parliamentary majority, security
and police management structures, as well as the bullies employed at
these structures must urgently apologize to the Macedonian people and
assume responsibility for their actions.
23 http://civil.org.mk/haos-i-nasilstvo-vo-makedonija/?lang=mk
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REACTION OF ALBANIAN INTELECTUALS24
Not in our name!
Recent events related to insidious and scandalous adoption of the 2013
budget created uncommon tensions in our country, and seriously violated
the integrity of the democratic institutions, the freedom of expression
and citizens’ representation. The utterly irresponsible and arrogant
behaviour demonstrated by the ruling coalition can cause irreparable
damages to the social fabric, triggering a whirl of anger, hatred and
violence. Scenarios that we are witnessing have already been seen
elsewhere, which gives us the right to fear about possible outcomes. We
must not forget: all great social unrests in this region have started with a
violation of sound financial governance. Milosevik regime’s interference
in the federal reserves of the former Yugoslavia, pyramidal schemes of
saving houses in Albania and countless financial manipulations are just
some of the examples that whenever the governing structures replace
the economy with manipulation, the outcome is inevitable, i.e., violation
of all social principles and rapid progression towards an abyss!
No promises or phrases about our country’s European orientation can
compensate for today’s defeat of the democracy. Brutal violation of
the budget adoption procedure, forceful expulsion of the journalists
and igniting street conflicts are a step backwards in the country’s
development, and create unprecedented situations in independent
Macedonia. Applause of MPs attending the session in the Parliament
once the budget was adopted implies their approval for the violence
against the citizens, fellow MPs and journalists who, for the first time,
demonstrated courage to seriously confront the government’s singlemindedness.
Illegitimate and violent procedure pursued in regard to the controversial
“Skopje 2014” project has been institutionalized. Today’s events were
a shocking combination of 2007 incidents in the Parliament and the
orchestrated clashes at the city square Makedonija from March 2009.
24 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/73248/Ne-vo-nashe-ime------------------------------
163
Nobody is safe after the blatant violation of democratic procedures and
nobody would be spared from off-setting the bill for the non-transparent
and insane project “Skopje 2014”.
The behaviour demonstrated by the ruling coalition obliges us, as
Albanians and as citizens, but primarily as taxpayers, to emphasize
that previous tacitness is not an excuse, as well as to remind that the
Albanian society in this state is broader and more diverse than the
relevant political parties. Their support for this discriminating budget
provides the conclusion that DUI has forgotten that such decision is
not only against their minority constituency, but against all Albanian
taxpayers in the state, regardless of their party affiliation or social status.
Moreover, with their violent votes and active, voluntary and inseparable
participation in developing policies that humiliate, discriminate and
isolate the Albanians in Macedonia, DUI legitimized the “Skopje 2014”
project, which is discriminatory and creates divisions.
At the same time, the absurd silence on the part of the Democratic Party
of Albanians gives us reasons to doubt the harsh words they have uttered
from the Parliament’s speaking podium, in particular because of their
abstinence from behaving as opposition party and because their words
could only justify the self-appraisal of this party’s leader as the leader
of the Albanian opposition. Hence the question: Who do DPA members
oppose? The people or the ruler?
DUI’s active support for and DPA’s mass agreement with their current
and former partner, Nikola Gruevski, raises the question on whether
Albanians in Macedonia are represented as an ethnic group and as
citizens in general? We should not elude ourselves, faced with the choice
between interests of the Albanian people and their narrow party interests,
the Albanian leaders have chosen Mr. Gruevski.
Therefore, by endorsing this letter, we, the undersigned, perceiving
today’s injustice, aware of the lack of satisfactory Albanian media space in
Macedonia, as well as the low level of legitimate political representation
of the Albanians in Macedonia, distance ourselves from:
- Albanian MPs who attended the plenary session for budget adoption
and other legal acts adopted in the same manner;
164
- Albanian members in the Government, who voted in favour of suspending
the legal state;
- All Albanian political representatives, from the ruling majority and the
opposition who, by demonstrating passiveness and tacitness, assisted
the installation of violence and limitation of freedom of expression and
information.
Having that in mind, we feel the need and the responsibility, as well
national and personal obligation to raise our voice: NOT IN OUR NAME!
Finally, we call upon the international community, especially its
representatives in Skopje, to justify their declared positions on the
values of parliamentary democracy, freedom of expression, accountable
governance and fight against corruption by taking specific actions. As
minor as it might seem, any deviation from these principles supports
the defeating policy on “consolidation”, on the detriment of future of the
state.
This declaration is endorsed by Arsim Zekoli, Fejzi Hajdari, Bekim Imeri,
Edmond Ademi, Elida Zulbeari, Enisa Murseli – Gokaj, Gakus Kabasi,
Muja Zlatku, Orhan Ceka, Ramadan Ramadani and Semi Mehmeti.
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COLUMNS
Who made a coup d’état?25
What is the name of the person controlling the Government, the
Parliament, the President of State, the governor, the judiciary, journalism,
the Church, the Police, the Army ...
Who made a coup d’état? The opposition or the government? Branko
Crvenkovski or Nikola Gruevski? What is the name of the person
controlling the Government, the Parliament, the President of State, the
governor, the judiciary, journalism, the Church, the Police, the Army...
When all these state institutions are controlled by a single person who
has the key to the public treasury, that person is called a dictator and the
system is called dictatorship. On Catholic Christmas Eve, 24th December
2012, when most European countries and the world were celebrating,
Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, assisted by special police units, made
the final attack on the fragile democracy, which has been in a state of
coma for the past six years. As of yesterday, 25th December 2012, the
Constitution and the Parliament in Macedonia are suspended by police
terror and the budged was adopted in illegal procedure. These actions
cannot be given another name but dictatorship.
Who made a coup
d’état? The
opposition or the
government?
Branko
Crvenkovski or
Nikola Gruevski?
Coups d’état, putsches and revolutions are usually made by the police,
military, paramilitary and para-police and other armed and violent
formations. Political leaders who have been legally elected on democratic
elections are being arrested, while the Parliament and all institutions
are suspended. Before anything of that happens, the truth died. Strict
media censorship is introduced. Coup d’état is never announced in
advance. Such activities are carried out in absolute secrecy. On 24th
December 2012, did the opposition in Macedonia use arms and military
formation to arrest legally elected representatives of the government; did
it block any institution of the system with arms, use of force, brutality
25 http://www.utrinski.mk/?ItemID=99F1AB0D9AFE83488DF05BD9A99DEA1A
168
and violence? We did not see such thing. What we, and the world, saw
in the Christmas greeting from the Government? First, we saw special
police units killing the truth in the Parliament. With threats and bullying,
journalists were expelled from their job posts in the Parliament. Such
thing had never happened in the entire 68-years history since Macedonia
has a Parliament. Various incidents have happened with journalists being
tugged, battered, insulted or the like, but I cannot think of a situation
where special police forces have expelled journalists from their job posts
by beating and verbally abusing them. Someone desperately needed to
prevent the journalists from witnessing events that would unfold during
the plenary session in the Parliament.
What do you call a situation where special police forces in civilian clothes
batter MPs and throw them out of the hall where decisions are made,
where screams of elected officials echo in the Parliament? Shocking
scenes that circled the world depict a humiliation of democracy, where
police officers, trained to deal with terrorists and criminals, expelled MPs
from the hall and insidiously kicked them in front of many colleagues and
fellow MPs, ministers, government officials, cannot be called with any
other name but terror and immense shame. That was a life-long black spot
on all who organized such bullying. Images of these shocking scenes and
of this criminal act against the democracy, human rights and freedoms,
are replayed on the social networks, irrespective of government’s efforts
to block them, and irrespective of spins promoted by governmental
apologists and instigators. Silencing the journalists in the Parliament,
preventing them to do their job, expelling them from the hall in order to
prevent them to witness the great disgrace – are all actions that clearly
indicate the scenario for suspending the Parliament and the Constitution.
Silencing of journalists and preventing freedom of speech and freedom
of information is in collision with Article 16 of the Constitution. Expelling
MPs with intervention of special police forces is yet another violation in
the series of flagrant violations to the Constitution.
In his address to the public immediately after the violence against MPs
and journalists, the Prime Minister avoided using a qualification like
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coup d’état. He entrusted his political party with this task. Personally, he
was pleased to conclude that it is a matter of “an unsuccessful violent
attempt to overthrow the democratic institutions and the legitimately
elected government on free and fair elections”. Hence, “organizers” of
violent destruction of institutions of the system would be immediately
arrested or Gruevski considers the opposition’s requirements for legal
democratic procedure on controlling budget funds and pre-election
state borrowing to be violent destruction of the democratic institutions.
This is the most common discussion worldwide, but from its onset in
Macedonia, Gruevski qualified it as blocking the state and creating
chaos. According to him and his followers, not everybody has the right to
know how taxpayers’ money is spent. Allegedly, that is a task reserved
only for the democratically-elected government and the key-holder for
the state treasury.
Although the Prime Minister regretted the occurrence of this small
incident and for the brutal expulsion of journalists from their job posts
in order to prevent them to see who was beating MPs and why, he said
that such action are beyond his competences. Such hypocrisy is typical
for Nikola Gruevski. Following suit, the President of State also expressed
his regrets. I pity him, too.
Yes, the Prime Minister is not competent when journalists and MPs are
being beaten, but one day it will become a competence of the legal state,
if Macedonia ever gets there.
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Erol Rizaov
Communist scumbags...26
With these words, people unleashed by Gruevski, Stavreski, Jankuloska
and Veljanoski addressed us – Members of Parliament – while battering
us and expelling us from the plenary session at the Parliament. To be
honest, people of this kind were less few in number, but one could clearly
hear the words “You are not Members of Parliament, you are communist
scumbags!” from their rabid mouths. I do not know the words they used
to address the professional journalists, but the methods of towing and
hands-twisting were the same.
This was followed by applause and ovations from certain VMRO-DPMNE
members. I think that they do not deserve to be referred to as Members
of Parliament and thus I would not use this word for them, let alone the
word colleagues, although – truth to be told – one must reconsider if
they are worthy of being called people!
Therefore, I
do not have
any dilemma
that I do not
belong to such
Parliament,
i.e., nondemocratic,
to use a
euphemism.
Therefore, I do not have any dilemma that I do not belong to such
Parliament, i.e., non-democratic, to use a euphemism. In the capacity
of the Vice President of the Parliament, I have pledged to protect the
Constitution, but once a political party paramilitary forces have thrown
me out of my office, to which I have been elected by the citizens, I have
no intention of giving the criminals from the government any alibi and act
as tacit decorum to their annihilation of the Constitution and the laws.
While the party paramilitary forces called us “communist scumbags”,
Veljanoski and Stavreski (with his left hand) – with unseen malice and
hatred – issued orders for our faster eviction. The entire rage stemming
from their low self-esteem was vented on the MPs, especially on the
ladies, in the same manner in which Gruevski teaches them in the
advertisements on treatment of women in Macedonia.
Their enragement escalated when they saw us acting as one, functioning as
a clock, and dignified enough not to respond to their cheap provocations.
Their faces were blood-red with anger because we responded to their
furiousness by signing the Anthem of the Republic of Macedonia. Events
unfolded as on a film roll. Images that I would never forget, screams that
I would always hear, tears that would continuously fall. Hits I sustained
26 http://goo.gl/gURsx
171
on my arm inflicted by the person Trajko are insignificant mosquito
bites, even less, they are fly scratches, but the blood in their eyes has
been engraved in my mind folder destined for remembrance and nonforgiveness.
I do not hold grudges against para-policemen for yelling “now you
will get what you deserve, you communist scumbags”. In absence of
relevant qualifications, their vocabulary was the only condition for being
employed by Gordana. However, the order-issuers must be punished in
compliance with the Constitution and the law, so that in future no other
politician would dare to reconsider, let alone repeat, the actions of that
day. If this goes by unsanctioned, then Macedonia is nothing.
Although, to be honest, these practices could allow some future, more
irresponsible government, to use same patterns for changing the
Constitution, the laws, and other more practical needs. Therefore, I
would not quote articles, paragraphs and decisions. I am not going to
elaborate on their stupidity for not giving us the voting cards. Instead, I
am going to say that obviously Gruevski, supported by the party police,
has started to defile democracy, and it is up to us to see whether we are
going to allow that or not.
Since I am talking about the events, let me comment on the behaviour
demonstrated by other people present in the hall. These days, more than
25% of all messages of support I have been receiving are sent by fellowcitizens who are Albanians, and they are appalled with the behaviour of
some DUI members, especially with Saracini’s applause for the budget
and the comment of Talat Dzaferi, who entered the hall in triumphal
manner and prior to our attack cynically told us that nobody could save
us now.
172
My fellow-Albanian citizens are appalled, because they know what I
had done for Teuta Arifi, when some DPA members attacked her at the
Parliament few years ago and how I managed to prevent aggravated
incident in my office, especially because today she is a Minister in the
Government. These days, Teuta opted for Gruevski’s Macedonia. I would
like to thank Ermira, who standing in defence of her colleague women
MPs, actually chose European Macedonia. Contrary to others, members
do not forget such gesture and I would like to thank them for the support
and I honestly believe in many joint projects in the future that would
connect both banks of Vardar.
How did the government react? They said we have battered ourselves;
we have attacked others and many other notorious lies. That is why
the media had to be thrown out, however because of our organized
action, Macedonia and the entire world were able to see who rules in
Macedonia and whose children would be ashamed that their parents
are the only politicians in the world who have sent policemen after MPs,
only politicians who annulled 370,000 citizens in one attack, although
these people have elected the said MPs to speak on their behalf. The
situation is much like in the jokes about Del Boy and Rodney, when the
judge asks “where do these knife stabs come from” and the answer is
“well, he tumbled on the stairs”, no more and no less than “seventeen
times in a row”.
Therefore, this fascist act, this party and police coup cannot go by as
such, it cannot be the image of our Macedonia. This has nothing to do
with the fight for power. The fight for Macedonia is the noblest goal, and
the fall of this dictatorship is only the first step.
P.S. With certainty, one of these days, Grujo will be a special guest star in
Milenko’s show programme, and thus I hope that Protuger would explain
him in advance the difference between Hippocrates and Hypocrite,
altruistic and autistic, Milenko and Mirka.
Jani Makraduli
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Barren stories27
Two days have passed since the journalists were brutally expelled
from the gallery during plenary session in the Macedonian Parliament,
but the public learned only about Prime Minister Gruevski’s “regret”
and President Ivanov’s “distress”. President of the Parliament, Trajko
Veljanoski, hid himself behind the scarce press release issued by the
administrative services at the legislative house (“the journalists were not
evicted from the Parliament, they were asked to leave the gallery and
move to the press center”, “this decision was not taken by the President of
the Parliament, Trajko Veljanoski, but by the security service”). As for the
Ministry of Interior, it seems that nothing happened at the Parliament’s
gallery.
This can be concluded on the basis of police reports, which provide
detailed account of events in the hall, supported with footage and
photographs, but fail to include any information about those who watched
them – from above. No camera or photo camera, or even phone-cam used
by the Members of Parliament, those who were filming when Blagordna
Dulik’s fingernail became casualty to MPs’ bickering, managed to catch
what was going on there. Who intervened in the Parliament’s gallery and
why? Who was sent by the commander of the Sixth Directorate28 on the
terrace to tug and violently throw out journalists, while he was evicting
MPs down in the hall? If nobody gave the order, and the guys from the
Sixth Directorate entered the Parliament’s building on their own and
made own assessments about who “should be kicked out”, we have a
serious problem.
In such case, the entire Sixth Directorate, together with its commander,
do not know that Article 43 of the Law on the Parliament of the Republic of
Macedonia stipulates: “Authorized officers from the state administration
bodies shall not be allowed, without an authorization from the President
of the Parliament, to access premises referred to in paragraph 1 of
this article (premises of the Parliament), nor to take measures against
27 http://goo.gl/W2fmd
28 Translator’s note: Sixth Directorate is a term formally used to refer to the service for securing premises and people.
174
Members of Parliament, employees at the Parliament’s administration
service and against other citizens”. If the directorate made a decision to
evict journalists, what would stand in it its way to evict the President of
the Parliament if it pleases so, knowing that it cannot enter or take any
actions in the Parliament without his approval?!
However, this story is barren in spite of arguments that the Sixth
Directorate gathered in full composition and made own decisions on
actions to be taken, especially in a situation when even the birds know
that in compliance with the Constitution and the laws, the police acts
upon orders! While the legislative house and MOI are silent, news
came from the Government. Spokesperson of the executive branch of
government advised the journalists: “you should accept the apology,
and move towards finding a common language”.
In a legal state, everybody is accountable in front of the law and the law
applies to all. It does not matter whether two days ago the police tugged
MPs from the ruling majority or the opposition, and whether two days
ago keepers of public safety, peace and state order were dragging on
the ground the system in the state. As written by MOI, the opposition
was evicted because “it executed an attack on the institution President
of the Parliament and prevented operation of the institutions”, now MOI
and Veljanoski should answer what did the media prevent and what risk
assessment triggered their “expulsion” from the Parliament’s gallery?
Why? Media teams did not block the work of the Parliament; nor did
they act as hooligans or demonstrate wild and aggressive behavior; they
did not prevent regular functioning of the institution, nor did they attack
Speaker Veljanoski. They simply performed their job!
Katerina Geteva
“Authorized
officers from
the state
administration
bodies shall
not be allowed,
without an
authorization
from the
President of
the Parliament,
to access
premises
referred to in
paragraph 1 of
this article
(premises
of the
Parliament),
nor to take
measures
against Members
of Parliament,
employees
at the
Parliament’s
administration
service and
against other
citizens”.
175
INTERVIEWS
Jasna Koteska – We need resistance against lies
What could be the reasons for our pursuit of totalitarian society
where the majority rudely rules over the minority, instead of pursuing
democracy? (Such examples were seen recently, but also in the past,
when we witnessed outvoting on different matters)
These days I read an interesting analysis on the German magazine
“Signal” from 1944. This magazine was printed at the time when Germany
reached the final point in its political totalitarianism. There was nothing
“totalitarian” about that magazine. It was used for propaganda of values.
Advertisements for perfumes, socks, and cats featuring on cover pages.
One issue of the magazine also included a text praising Gandhi. The point
is that this family-, Nazi-magazine contained nothing that would deter
even a pacifist from modern days from reading it. It only deterred readers
from the ideology and overrated certain values, such as cherishing
tradition and home, having more children, care, beauty, etc. In short, it
included propaganda and instructions on how to be human. Namely, it
hardly ever propagated small-town values. Small-town values are not
totalitarian per se. However, they are the nursery (or perhaps the college)
for raising the abstract machinery, which then makes totalitarianism
possible.
[Contrary to common beliefs, totalitarianism is not complete mobilization
and politicization, but quite the opposite – it’s total depoliticization and
intimidating propaganda of normality!]
Contrary to common beliefs, totalitarianism is not complete mobilization
and politicization, but quite the opposite – it’s total depoliticization
and intimidating propaganda of normality! What is currently happening
in Macedonia is nothing but completion of a project that was started
gradually, six years ago, as a battle for values: in favour of having third
child and against abortion, exerting power over media, encouraging
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family patriarchal values, bringing people closer to the church,
installing obedient mentality, etc. After certain amount of time, when
the Government uses fists to evict the opposition from the Parliament,
people instinctively perceive it as normal. Even when they feel that it is
not completely lawful. It was gradual, so it has to be normal, right? In other
words, totalitarianism is possible only where all political discourses are
suspended. This suspension lies in the heart of the rule demonstrated
by the latest edition of VMRO DPMNE even since they came in power six
years ago. These days, same suspension of political discourses took
place in the Macedonian Parliament and before our eyes.
Can patriotism be equated with nationalism, which is evidently
growing across Europe?
[The more a person vigorously shows public love for his nation, the
more we need to read through his love, only to see his desperate desire
to escape it! That is why we have the paradox of greatest patriots who
regularly retire in their family houses in Miami.]
In my opinion, faith in the nation does not only fail to bring pacifist comfort,
but represents something much worse. Nationalism is probably the most
traumatic sentence a person can be condemned to. We know this from
Kierkegaard: the hardest thing is to love your neighbour. Even more, if
you have to identify with him... Worse still, if you need to worship him...
Nationalism has a built-in perversion, inherent to any belonging. The
more a person vigorously shows public love for his nation, the more we
need to read through his love only to see his desperate desire to escape
it! That is why we have the paradox of greatest patriots who regularly
retire in their family houses in Miami. The psychoanalytical name for this
type of ardent nationalism is certainly trauma. However, for those of us
who do not own such houses around the world and who remain in this
country, the political name for this “patriotism” is corruption. To me, it is
better to love your nation by enduring it to the minimal extent possible,
rather than to lie to it and steal from it.
177
How much are we burdened with our identity package on the road to
EU membership; does it bring us closer or further distance us from EU?
[At the moment, our state package includes so many different things, from
early antiquity to late futurism, that we increasingly resemble Freud’s late
description of hysteria.]
The question is what our identity package implies. At the moment, our
state package includes so many different things, from early antiquity to
late futurism, that we increasingly resemble Freud’s late description of
hysteria. When Freud travelled to America back in 1909, he described
psychoanalytical decomposition of identity through the metaphor of
shopping. He said that dissociation of personality resembles a person
who went shopping and returned home with many boxes and bags. Being
unable to hold the whole pile with his two hands and ten fingers, one item
drops from his grip, he stops to pick it up, but another item simultaneously
falls from his hands and so on. Our current identity package distances
us further from the European family, if for nothing else, then because of
the hysteria. One does not have to be a psychiatrist to see our authentic
national hysteria. Today, we could all benefit from a long, long vacation,
if for nothing else, then to reconcile with our nationality and identity.
Search for our roots, initially titled antiquization, has led us to
neoclassicism, baroque and rococo embodied in “Skopje 2014”
project. How will these changes help us find our true selves?
They will not help us and they have not been helping us for a long time
now. Finding our true selves is a false philosophical issue. No one
will ever succeed in finding his true self. It is an ancient philosophical
dilemma as old as the philosophical truth. Unfortunately, in our historical
time we saw this philosophical crack successfully processed and used by
the current government, with a specific pragmatic purpose: to rule over
all resources in the country (from material and financial, to human and
trend-setting), as well as to fully subdue whatever we understand under
the term common sense. Skopje 2014 was installed as corruption project
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of a schizophrenic government and it is nothing but a monument of a
selfish ruler. This project was already attributed the epithet of hysteria,
as it truly deserves to be called, but we are yet to re-install somewhat
normality, the one that was previously fully capitulated and suspended
by the Government.
One of the most frequently used phrases in the last year is freedom of
speech and freedom of media, as check-and-balance mechanism in a
democratic society. Where does freedom of media end and where does
propaganda begin?
[I am increasingly convinced that future civil resistances should no longer
be directed only towards destruction of corrupt government, but more
importantly, towards destruction of media infrastructures that assist and
enable unhindered rule of the government.]
On Monday, after the events that unfolded in the Macedonian Parliament
when the opposition was removed from the parliament hall, and the ruling
party adopted the 2013 state budget, at four PM I turned the TV on to learn
what happened. That day TV Sitel’s news-programme aired terrifying,
monstrous manifestation of force of Bernays’ media propaganda in
today’s Republic of Macedonia. I am increasingly convinced that future
civil resistances should no longer be directed only towards destruction
of corrupt government, but more importantly – towards destruction of
media infrastructures that assist and enable uninterrupted rule of the
government. Our battle, the battle to restore normality in the Republic
of Macedonia will have to begin as a battle against media manipulation
in the Republic of Macedonia, as an issue of re-establishing the right to
dignified life, to what citizens consider it is their normality, as opposed
to propaganda.
Where could extreme division in society on all grounds – political,
ethnic, religious – lead us?
Your readers should be aware that our correspondence is carried out just
one day after events in the Macedonian Parliament from 24th December
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2012. Everything in this discussion is affected by these events, at least
as far as I’m concerned. As regards your specific question, I believe that
perhaps it would be useful if such divisions lead only to resistance!
People of my profession no longer have the choice to pretend they are
intellectuals. Birds of a feather cannot flock together anymore. Neutrality
has never been a good choice, especially not now. I believe the worst
thing that could happen to us is to overlook the collision between what
we really see with our own eyes and what the dictated media tell us to
see. In this terrifying gap of reality, I would say that resistance against
lies is an important factor of existence.
[Until we discover an elevated doctrine, “human rights” are the value worth
fighting for, here and now. Every single human life in that nomenclature
is worth the struggle.]
To what extent does the phrase human rights contain real component
in today’s global society, or it is just an idealistic vision?
I do not consider it to be idealism. Tolerance towards the second, towards
a child, flower, pavement, or stone are not just poetic metaphors. In
such hierarchy of values, human rights are inherently anthropomorphic.
I do not exclude the possibility that humanity, in its most authentic
and human version is just trivial humanism. And that is alright. Until
we discover an elevated doctrine, “human rights” are the value worth
fighting for, here and now. Every single human life in that nomenclature
is worth the struggle. Nowadays, there are valid philosophical systems
that protect the right of animals over human rights, or the right of plants
over human rights, or even the right of minerals over human rights. It
makes sense to me. Humans are not the only ones who claim the right
to exist on this planet. In this interview we only discussed the rights of
people to fight each other equally for every member of society. However,
it does not mean that human rights are the only rights on this planet. We
arrived on this planet too late, and perhaps in that hierarchy our rights
should be secondary or only consequential.
180
[Lustration’s current status can be illustrated by the example of a person
who bites flesh of his own forearm, while singing a Macedonian national
folk song, but through his teeth. You must admit that this act contains
a certain melancholy and, of course, accumulated sadness, but it’s not
funny, nor particularly sad, even for those who bite themselves. Because
it resembles a simulacrum.]
Having in mind your personal experiences, do you think that lustration
process is transformed into a mechanism for political retaliation?
From December 2005, when I started speaking in public about
confronting the communist past, to this day, I constantly talk about the
need for transparency in regard to all communist dossiers, following
the principle of Wikileaks and Assange’s agenda. In my opinion, these
are the guiding principles. All dossiers from the communist past need
to be made available to everyone, following the “all for all” principle,
dossiers need to be uploaded on the Internet, without any restriction,
or mediation on the part of political structures and lustration bodies,
and most importantly – without exceptions. I suppose that lustration
commissions are extremely boring. They have been burnt by the dignity
of their tasks. Halfway in performing their task, it became clear that
their role of “purgers” would never be seriously understood. To me,
dismantling the past was a personal necessity. Lustration’s current status
can be illustrated by the example of a person who bites flesh of his own
forearm, while singing a Macedonian national folk song, but through his
teeth. You must admit that this act contains a certain melancholy and,
of course, accumulated sadness, but it’s not funny, nor particularly sad,
even for those who bite themselves. Because it resembles a simulacrum
Today’s lustration process is reduced to a reality show where everybody
assumes an attack or defense position, bleeds a bit, but then put their
pajamas on and go to bed at 23:00 hours just as the cameras turn off. It
is not that they are not hurt, but no one dies, and no one goes to prison,
thus everything is fine. If so, why should I continue dragging on my family
trauma in the newspapers?
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Is there a mechanism that “measures” truth in the modern society? Or,
more precisely, whose truth has bigger “weight”?
[There is only one truth, and it happened. However, in order to be visible,
the truth needs media assistance to surface. That is why, the media are so
terrifyingly important as never before in the history of humankind.]
There is no truth of greater weight if it is not backed up by the media.
That does not mean that the truth, per se, does not exist. It does exist.
I have a universalist’s position in that regard: there is only one truth,
and it happened. However, in order be visible, the truth needs media
assistance to surface. That is why, the media are so terrifyingly important
as never before in the history of humankind.
According to your observations, where is humanity headed, having
in mind the globalization processes, recessed market relations and
dehumanization of human spirit?
Who am I to speak in the name of the entire globalization? If globalization
is unification of all mankind for the purpose of humanizing the universe
and creating order in the chaos, then none of us is entitled to speak in a
particular sense.
I want to quote a testimony dated from the beginning of the century:
“You ask me why Franz is afraid of love, but not life? I don’t think so. He
perceives life in completely different manner than other people –money,
stock market, foreign exchange center, typing machine – are very mystical
to him; these are puzzles he solves differently than we do. To him, the
office is extremely secret place, and he is amazed by it, same as small
child is amazed by the locomotive. He does not understand the simplest
things in the world. Have you ever been in the post office with him? Have
you seen how he writes a telegram, then looks for a counter that suits
him, then circles from one counter to another, and when he finds the
‘real’ counter, he pays and takes his change back, then he recounts his
change and realizes that he received a crown more, so he returns it to the
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lady at the counter? Then, he quietly leaves, recounts his money again
down at the last stair, when he suddenly realizes that the crown he had
just returned pertained to him. So, you stand against him, not knowing
what to do, while he is nervously pacing and thinking what to do next.
It’s hard to go back – many people are upstairs. ‘Leave it’, I say to him,
and he looks at me frightened. How can he let go? He doesn’t care about
the crown, but it is simply wrong. He has one crown less. How can he
leave the crown?” It was a confession of Milena Jesenska for Franz Kafka.
I believe this explains globalization much better than any of us would be
able to explain it today.
Gragjanski, 29th December 2012
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184
Arsim Zekoli - SPINELESS DUI FAILS TO DEFEND
SEKERISKA, JUST AS SHE DEFENDED TEUTA FROM DPA29
“You most certainly remember the events that took place several years
ago when people from DPA chased their colleagues from DUI throughout
the Parliament. You certainly remember how Sekerinska reacted at the
time of the attack against Teuta Arifi. Today, the situation is reversed.
Regretfully, DUI has no virtue and spine to differentiate between honour
and cowardice. That is why we feel obliged, as human beings, to react
against the violence, which in this case is geared towards the opposition.
Rest assured, we would have reacted in the same manner if a violent
act had been committed against Silvana Boneva or Merale Uzeiri, Zijadin
Sela or Aleksandar Spasenovski”, says Arsim Zekoli from the group of
Albanian intellectuals that came in public with a press release where
they fiercely condemn yesterday’s violent events in the Macedonian
Parliament and the manner in which the new budget was adopted.
Mr. Zekoli, what are the reactions to your press release? Did it achieve
the expected effect?
Reactions are different, and others should assess its effects. When
drafting the press release, for us it was of outmost importance and
obligation, as people, citizens and Albanians, to express a principled
position on disapproving policies based on arguments of power and
majorization. The position upheld by this group of people, which is
rapidly growing according to the social networks, about the events
in the Parliament and the budget adoption, is based on experiences
of Albanians in situations when they, as a community, were direct
targets of above-referred arguments. Of course, the goal was not to
trigger reactions by those who already uphold a firm position against
or in favour of a given policy, but to reach out to ordinary people who
already feel that something has gone terribly wrong and are unskilled or
unable to articulate it. The goal was to encourage the people that their
29 http://goo.gl/dO6ip
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instincts about correctness and incorrectness, their judgments based on
sound logics and reasoning are more important and more honest than
the justifications offered by the government or the political party. You
most certainly remember the events that took place several years ago,
when people from DPA chased their colleagues from DUI throughout
the Parliament. You certainly remember how Sekerinska reacted at the
time of the attack against Teuta Arifi. Today the situation is reversed.
Regretfully, DUI has no virtue and spine to differentiate between honour
and cowardice. That is why we feel obliged, as human beings, to react
against the violence, which in this case is geared towards the opposition.
Rest assured, we would have reacted in the same manner if a violent
act had been committed against Silvana Boneva or Merale Uzeiri, Zijadin
Sela or Aleksandar Spasenovski. Of course, we are targets of accusations
and insinuations, nicely wrapped with political party floscules or false
ethno-patriotism, however, our position is principled and we do not give
much attention to such verbal attacks, because motives behind them are
obvious.
You criticize both, DUI and DPA, for their behaviour in the Parliament,
i.e., for the budget’s adoption. How do you explain such behaviour,
having in mind that they are confronted parties?
Explanation for this behaviour lies in the inherited, deeply-rooted policy
on budget-tailoring to suit the interests of an extremely narrow circle of
persons from DUI’s leadership, who enjoy direct profits from the secretive
deals they had made with their patrons from VMRO-DPMNE, with minor
or no effect on the citizens that they supposedly represent. Take a look at
DUI’s leadership and try to find one person who has achieved much in the
field of economy, including their current and former Minister of Economy.
At the same time, when you accept such deals, you are subjected to
being conditioned, be it as political party, leader or minister. Thus, the
question is raised about the extent of DUI’s autonomy in pursuing its
policies, especially those concerning distribution of budget funds. At
the same time, once Angela Merkel promulgated the end of all hopes for
European integrations, DUI has no other choice or room to be displeased,
but it is forced to accept and execute matters without any objections and
186
remarks. Mr. Ahmenti and Minister Arifi can therefore take joint pictures
with Fule and Sannino, but in reality, their allurement for the Albanians
has ceased to have any effect. As for DPA, after the many “dribbles”
in the last year, I am not sure whether they know what their policy is.
Despite their machoist, clattering, media-appealing statements about
“lighters” and defending the rights of the Albanians, I have not seen any
specific engagement on their part in the field of economic rights of the
Albanians, notwithstanding Mr. Izet Zekiri, whose direct criticism and
suggestions had completely overshadowed both parliamentary groups.
However, DPA’s votes against the budget do not absolve them from
the responsibility, as an opposition party, to react against democracy’s
smothering and against stomping of MPs, especially women MPs. DPA’s
place is outside that room. They needn’t be together with SDSM or the
others, but they certainly should not have kept company to those who
suspended the democracy in such brutal manner. Maybe DPA is not to be
blamed for the budget, but it certainly shares the responsibility for the
disgrace embodied in the maltreatment of MPs and journalists.
In your opinion, what is a bigger problem in regard to the budget: the
fact that you consider the budget to be discriminating against the
Albanians, or the fact that the budget’s amount set at 2.7 billion EUR
would imply new borrowings?
The problem lies in the lack of transparency and equitable representation
of citizens. It is the essence, everything else is only additional. We all live
in and develop this country with our own money, and we have the right
to enjoy benefits from the budget. However, any realistic analysis of the
economy in the country will show a striking discrimination in the Albanianpopulated regions. This is a fact that cannot be disguised with frivolous
insinuations, spins or governmental coalitions with DUI. Therefore, our
press release emphasizes that we, as taxpayers, are affected by this
issue, maybe more than taxpayers of Macedonian nationality. As for
the billions of EUR you referred to, one must know that those who lend
money are never interested in the nationality or religion of those who
would have to settle the debt. Albanians or Macedonians, the debt will
187
be settled by the middle class citizens, youth receiving minimum salaries
and poor people.
It rarely happens for Albanians in Macedonia to emphasize their role
as citizens and taxpayers. They rather articulate their political interests
through the political parties or non-governmental organizations
that uphold certain political profile. Is the situation changing in that
regard? In the press release, you indicated that the Albanian society
in this state is broader and more diverse than the relevant political
parties.
This is an erroneous impression created with the Macedonian public,
mainly due to the language barriers. Among themselves, Albanians
engage in zealous debate on economic and social issues, which is
mainly mirrored in the declining turnout of Albanian voters on the
elections and represents a manifestation of their dissatisfaction with the
economic situation. Such accusations and insinuations made against the
Albanians serve the purpose of disguising the ignorance on the part of
some Macedonians towards the Albanians. There are two very important
moments and they are often insufficiently explained to the public.
Albanians, as other nationalities, evolve in their requirements depending
on the needs at a given time. Also, they become increasingly aware that
political parties in the Albanian block are, above all, parties (pursuing
narrowly-defined lucrative and cliquey interests), political entities
(according to the manner in which they sustain on the political scene or
come to power), and, finally, they are of Albanian providence (depending
on profits or losses they might incur by emphatic or suppressed use
of their ethnic prefix). Of course, there are strives for changes, and
they are increasingly vociferous. The scene is now dominated by new
generation of professional, adequately educated young people, who
refuse to be pendants of semi-literate and corrupt politicians. Thanks
to their prestigious education acquired abroad or following suit of other
countries, these young people, despite their knowledge, appreciate
and value person’s dignity and elementary ethics in the society. In that,
they are not lesser patriots than the current manipulators, nor do they
need or accept to be lectured on what patriotism is. On the contrary,
188
their national consciousness is highly developed, more sincere and in
tune with modern-day realities, and instead of slogans, their national
consciousness is expressed by deeds and personal responsibility.
Watching yesterday’s scenes inside and outside the Parliament,
in your opinion, what is a greater danger: interethnic or interparty
intolerance?
Both types of intolerance (interethnic and interparty) are actually outward
expressions of the deficit of the rule of law, which is the actual problem
in our county. When there is no rule of law and no legal state, injustice
appears in numerous forms and shapes, sometimes as ethnic and
sometimes as party, social, regional, religious, and other injustices. This,
at times of disastrously rapid economic downturn, instigates additional
tensions and conflicts. In conjunction with the country’s isolation
and stagnation in integration processes, the resulting situation is an
extremely dangerous mix of motives for dissatisfaction and antipathy. I
fear that in the Macedonian political camp these tensions would result in
ever stronger breakthrough of people on the political scene, in particular
by use of muscles, arms and manipulative hatred, as was the case with
the Albanian political parties in the last several years. How can anyone
expect that a normal, honest and conscientious person would accept to
be exposed to such violence and dishonesty? Well, this is the legacy of
Gruevski and Ahmeti, as well as all other political leaders in the country.
Their policy on membership mobilization, based on feigned patriotism
and poltroonery, servitude towards the leader might temporarily
guarantee them high rating, but sooner or later, it would destitute them,
and us as well, to historical defeats.
Do you believe that citizens in Macedonia can be united (both
Macedonians and Albanians) or we are still far from such occurrence?
Ethnic differences are evident. They exist and will exist; moreover they
should not be perceived as problem or obstacle to unification. The
question is – around which matter they should unite? Civil options,
189
multiculturalism, and unity – these are all formulas launched by political
interests, irrespective of their honest motives. True motives for uniting
people are always of private or group character, but having in mind the
dissonance and disagreement within the ethnic communities, illusory is
to discuss the possibility for some kind of cross-ethnic unity. Citizens’
increased awareness about feigned patriotism, criminal and lucrative
fraternity, weighing the patriotic forces in their true light, would most
certainly contribute to re-arrangement of powers in the society. This is a
process that has started and will continue, but the essence is not in the
dynamics of this process, but rather in its quality.
Miodrag Misolic
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Petar Gosev - If Gruevski continues with
confrontations, victims are possible30
Mr. Gosev, there were grave incidents inside and outside the
Parliament on the occasion of adopting the Budget of the Republic
of Macedonia for the next year. Groups intended to exert pressure
were activated, where those from the government demanded urgent
adoption of the budget and the opposition wanted to prevent it.
Clashes in the Parliament spilled over in the streets. How dangerous
was and still is this situation, not only for the confronted parties, but
for the entire Macedonia?
Approximately three years ago, at a meeting with Prime Minister Gruevski,
I occasionally told him: “If you continue confrontations in the state in this
manner, do not exclude the possibility of mutual victims. Of course, if
such thing does occur, you would have no other option but to wash your
hands from responsibility for the victims in the style of Pontius Pilate,
attributing the blame from one to another”. He did not comment on my
remark.
On 24th December 2012, events inside and outside the Parliament were
on the brink of taking someone’s lives. Fortunately, there were “only”
injured people. “Conquering battle” of the public, by means of staged
street protests is a dangerous game. Creating such “culture” in an
underdeveloped, multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state equals to
playing with fire within an “oxygen tent”. On the basis of these, and other
events as well, it seems that the government is confident that it can dose
the reactions, i.e., the conflicts. It is unaware of when, where and what
dose of social navigation can prove to be overdosed and burn everything
to ashes. To be honest, I do not know where all of this might lead, but I do
know that we have been brought back at the beginning of events typical
for some former Yugoslav republics right before the disintegration of the
former SFRY. At those times, with not so small dose of self-contempt we
stated that we did not allow such events to unfold in our country.
30 26.12.2012, http://goo.gl/fqtjb
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With it, fairy tales for an investment paradise are mocking stock, same as
claims that we are functional democracy.
In your opinion, do groups who demanded urgent adoption of the
budget know what is actually at stake? Primarily, they demanded
the budget to be adopted in order to guarantee funds for pensions,
subsidies and social allowance. However, on the other side, the
opposition’s requests did not concern the above-indicated budget
accounts and items. Can the street act as arbiter in the adoption and
breakdown of the state budget?
Macedonia has been sunken down in lies: lies about the history, lies
about the national self, lies about the economic development, lies
about the public debt, lies about the value of projects, lies about where
they want to take Macedonia.
Groups that were freezing and are still freezing in the cold are actually
an image of the state of despair where lies are being swallowed as truth
about the thing that is continuously beyond their reach: sustenance,
warm home, unattainable certainty, jobs for them and for their children.
Most of them do not know what budget is and what process on budget
development and adoption is. They do not know the upper ceiling for the
public debt. They do not know the fastest way towards losing pensions,
salaries, social transfers and – first and foremost – jobs. In the midst
of the general hopelessness created by Macedonian elites, they are all
turned towards the leader waiting for an order to start extirpating the evil.
And, the evil is what their lord tells them to be. Nevertheless, they would
eventually understand, but it would be too late and just in time for their
lord to leave in his chariots full of their hopes.
Contrary to them, the lord knows that in a poor country the choice
between “necessities” (basic means for sustenance) on one side, and
the freedom (and human rights) on the other side, they – the frozen,
desperate, but essentially scared and angered – would choose to be
against their own and against the freedom of others. In that, it would be
again confirmed that they do not know that freedom, i.e., political rights
and true democracy are inseparably linked to the necessities (means
for sustenance), i.e., that these two categories are actually one and the
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same, inseparably linked and mutually conditioned. This is why libels
are easily “swallowed” as truth: “they are against your pensions, against
your subsidies, but we will give them to you”, regardless of the fact where
these funds come from or if we need to borrow more money. This fear of
losing basic means or the promise for them is ruthlessly abused by the
despots for cheap and easy manipulation.
Even Milosevik knew that the constitution is not adopted and endorsed
by means of referendum. However, he adopted it in that manner. Even
the Muslim President of Egypt knows that the constitution should not be
adopted by means of referendum, but he did so. Gruevski also knows
that the budget is not designed on the streets, but he uses them for that
purpose. All referenced and unreferenced people know this very well,
but they still hope that their deceptions would last for a period of time
sufficient for their chariots to depart safely, leaving us all with dust in
our eyes so that we won’t be able to see in which direction they have
left. So, the answer to the question on whether the street can be an
arbiter in adopting the state budget is confirmative. But, how long will
such situation last would depend on how fast and how many people
will understand the cause and consequence relation between necessary
means for sustenance on one side, and freedom and democracy, on the
other side. Until then, those who had been brought to the street would
only disillusion themselves that they have made a right decision in their
favour.
How do you access the opposition’s proposal on budget savings?
Do you think that such proposal can help in reducing the public debt
and budget deficit, which the World Bank forecasted at the level of
3.7 %, as well as about the manner in which already matured and
accumulated debts will be serviced?
For the first time in our country parties in the opposition are demanding
smaller budget. Moreover, the opposition requested different budget
structure and purpose for budget funds. Due to this fact, if not for
something else, the proposal deserved at least a decent debate and not
some cheap manipulation that allegedly some are against payment of
pensions and subsidies and others are in favour.
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On a different occasion, I already de-construed the fairy tale that at
times of recession the state should spend more money. Let me reiterate
something: a small and fully open economy, such as ours, would not
help itself much by increasing deficits based on foreign borrowing. This
would only help the countries that lend money or from which something
is imported. Moreover, if large portion of money borrowed is spent on
imported extravagances, the purposeless and even the harmfulness of
the increased debt become greater. Economic growth is not encouraged
in this manner, but the bank accounts of those known in advance as
winners on tender procedures, would certainly increase.
In these circumstances, the oppositions’ requests should not necessarily
aim towards debt’s decrease. It would suffice if they were intended to
prevent further unreasonable increase of public debt, especially if they
have improved the structure of budget expenditure side that would
improve the budget’s effectiveness on the economy and alleviate the
poverty. That is why the ruling majority and the opposition should have
pursued responsible discussion. But the government insisted that it has
its own project for which the citizens had voted on the parliamentary
elections. Allegedly, that was sufficient for the government not to ask
anybody for opinion and not to accept anything else proposed. All others
should act as silent observes and admire its inventions. Unfortunately,
the ruling government upholds a twisted understanding of democracy.
Actually, it does not have understanding. It believes that support
gained at elections from one fourth or one fifth from the total number
of voters entitles it to brutally ignore the opinion of the others, to indebt
them as it pleases and how much it pleases, and to distribute material
means according to its own terms. If that is true, Tito enjoyed an almost
plebiscite support of the citizens in the former SFRY, Milosevik at certain
period enjoyed the support of not less than three quarters of his Serbs,
Hugo Chavez for certain has more supporters than Nikola Gruevski,
Hitler before the war also enjoyed higher support than the one referred
to by the leaders of the current government. Does this mean that they
were democratic leaders and that they governed in the interest of their
respective nations?
As for the budget deficit, let us remind that it was initially projected at
2.5% of GDP. Once the Government realized that budget revenue is not
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executed according to the projections, i.e., according to its wishes, and
once it realized that it can no longer hide the accumulated liabilities
towards the private sector, it designed the perfect solution to this
problem in the additional increase of the budget deficit to 3.5 % without
organizing a debate in the Parliament. But even this was not sufficient for
the Government. World Bank says that the budget deficit will be higher
than projected, i.e., it would account for 3.7 % of GDP. However, I say that
this is not true either, because the deficit has not yet included unsettled,
but matured liabilities of the Government towards private companies on
the grounds of VAT refund and liabilities on the grounds of task contracts
signed. The de facto scope of budget deficit remains unknown until an
unbiased insight is performed by external auditors. Representatives
of the World Bank in Macedonia are surely familiar with this problem,
but due to their career-related motives, or maybe other motives as well,
they have not reported it to the headquarters in Washington when they
address it with a request for Macedonia to be awarded a new credit line
or guarantees for loan-taking from other creditors. You will agree, this is
not a responsible behaviour. This is not sound, prudent macroeconomic
risk management in the domain of public finances.
What is your opinion on the 14 amendments approved by the
government from the total of 1,225 amendments submitted by the
opposition, which concern budget reduction in the amount of only 3.1
million EUR or only 0.13 % of the total budget in a situation where the
opposition demanded budget cuts or at least discussion on budget
cuts in the amount of 204 million EUR?
In the given situation this act did not provide the logical solution, nor
it showed respect for the opposition’s request, but it threw dust in the
eyes of the public, which was supposed to believe, i.e., to be deceived
for the millionth time in a row that the government is cooperative and
that the ultimate goal of the other side is not to have better budget, but
to block the functioning of the state. Ruling authorities needed this show
in preparation of what they had in mind – brutal intervention over MPs
from the opposition. The fact that they never considered negotiating with
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the opposition is best seen in the previously orchestrated and directed
public gatherings for the purpose of “reasoning” the opposition. Thus,
everything happened according to the power ratio in the Parliament and
in other state institutions, but not according to the overall strata and
needs in the society.
On the other hand, the problem does not lie in the fact that the ruling
majority would vote for a budget that does not reflect any influence from
the opposition. Such is our general practice so far. But, in the last case
we have witnessed several key new moments. Frist, this government,
like no other before, designs budgets tailored for short-term buying of
votes, turning the election system, as I already said, from “one person,
one vote” system into “one euro, one vote” system, where not only the
budget’s regular revenue side, but also the creation of public debt is
pursued in support of this system.
Second new moment is the accelerated growth of public debt (both at
foreign and domestic markets), which unless slowed down threatens to
undermine the financial stability of the country. These two characteristics
are probably one of the reasons that have urged the opposition to propose
a significant correction to the draft budget unprecedented in the past,
using the procedure in the Parliament that has been proved to function
in the past: block the enactment process for an act in order to extort
dialogue and compromise. An opposition that in such circumstances of
great irrational spending and open risk of state’s excessive indebtment
does not respond by using all means available to it would definitely be
irresponsible and there would be no need for it to sit in the Parliament.
And we come to the main question that renders our non-functional
democracy fully undisguised: procedures that are valid for one partner
in the government are not valid for the opposition. This is followed
by clashes, violent eviction of the opposition from the Parliament,
creation of unbefitting images for the country in the worldwide media
and statements on alleged attempt for unconstitutional overthrow of
the legitimately elected government. In reality, we have the opposite:
a government unlimited by anything or anyone. And we all know that
by definition a government without limitations cannot be a democratic
government.
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What is your opinion on the practice on borrowing before the elections,
which for the second time is pursued by the current government? Last
year, in the wake of parliamentary elections, it borrowed 220 million
EUR from the IMF, and this year in support of the budget, it borrows 50
million EUR from the World Bank, while the total amount of this loan
amounts to 220-250 million EUR. Do you think that such borrowing
before the elections is justifiable, or it is an unbecoming precedent?
It is not a precedent. Others have also done it and are doing it. The central
question is whether these funds are intended for leading sound policies,
are they directed towards stimulating economic growth in the country that
would reap benefits for all citizens, or the funds are intended to derogate
the election system, turning it, as I said, into “one euro, one vote” system
in order to satisfy the material appetites of the government, in order to
“buy” the media, which instead of objective reporting offer “detergents”
to wash clean any anomaly of the ruling authorities. Unfortunately, in
conditions of abounding behaviour referred to above, the credits that are
taken way ahead of election cycles are not prevented to reach the pockets
of those for whom they are intended, i.e., to ensure unfair advantage for
the political parties in power.
Last Friday, the Government sold state bonds in the amount of 100
million EUR, and it has been announced that this week there will be
new borrowings for another 135 million EUR. Is the Government’s
intention to secure its election win with this money and to accumulate
a reserve in case the budget was not adopted? Does this borrowing
render discussions on the budget purposeless, given the fact that the
Government can secure money for its spending in this manner as well?
One must know that the adoption of the budget at the Parliament means
that the law was adopted. The budget is the law. The Government is
obliged to execute the budget as it is equally obliged to act in accordance
with other laws. Adoption of the budget implies adoption of the ceiling
for new borrowing, i.e., the so-called budget deficit. The budget sets the
share of the new domestic borrowing, the share of foreign borrowing.
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The Government must act within the framework of the deficit adopted by
the Parliament. Without the Parliament, the Government cannot borrow
more than allowed. That is why discussions at the Parliament cannot be
pointless. If they were, then there is dangerous lawlessness, suspension
of parliamentary oversight over the executive branch of the government
and suspension of the democratic system. Unfortunately, the current
government’s “creativeness” is endless. Recently, the Government,
without the Parliament, announced that the budget deficit is increased
from 2.5 to 3.5 %. With dormant opposition and its “puppets” of MPs,
the Government pushed through vague amendments to the budget
that allow it to interpret this as having right to do what it does at the
moment. I doubt that such provisions would pass the constitutionality
test, knowing that the executive government has usurped one of the key
competences of the Parliament. This is a dangerous precedent by means
of which the executive branch evades parliamentary oversight and one
day the country might find itself with debts that nobody has heard of in
public.
Another thing is the fact that leaders, including the Prime Minister,
have their own “puppets” in the Parliament and not MPs, people’s
representatives. These “puppets” are ready, for the pleasure of their
leader, to pass everything, literally everything, irrespective of the harmful
consequences that might have on the country’s interest, because
the leader knows the best and loves his country the most. We are all
witnesses of the zest demonstrated by these puppet MPs in defending
their party leaders and Prime Ministers at the same time, even at times
when it was a public secret how corrupted they are and when, overnight,
from beggars as our people would like to call them, became as rich as a
“medium-class businessman”. This goes on perpetually. We, de facto, do
not have a power-sharing system. The executive branch of government
has grasped over everybody. And that is not a situation conductive to
functional democracy.
Thus, high-amount borrowings demonstrated by the Ministry of Finance
in the last days and even higher spending towards the year’s end is a
regular, unbefitting, feature. This is not good for the monetary policy,
which is best supported by equitable distribution of public spending
by the government throughout the year. More important is another
principle, i.e., strict adherence to the adopted budget deficit, as set by
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the Parliament, and execution of the overall budget, as adopted by the
Parliament. However, we saw that the Government is manipulating the
public about the actual scope of the budget deficit. This is inadmissible
and amounts to embezzlement with public debt.
What does this show about the relation between the government and
the banks, given that the latter are prepared to help the state with 235
million EUR within one week’s time? Does the government hold the
bankers in its pocket and can ask them for money whenever it pleases
or do they do that for own interest in order to turn over large sums of
money? In your knowledge, which banks could find these funds in such
short time in order to buy state bonds?
Banks do not extend credits from altruistic reasons, but for interest. It is
possible for some managers or shareholders to flirt with the government
in order to “maintain good relations’, and therefore invest in state-issued
securities in higher amounts than the optimum. But these are exceptions
rather than common practices. If banks have better alternatives for
crediting, they will pursue them. Moreover, in market economy one
cannot find a different institution that is obliged to and that makes due
account of risk management, as is the case with the banks. In broader
terms, anything beyond such behaviour is indicative to the existence of a
special situation in the societal system – deeper suppression of market
economy and of proprietary rights.
What should be done in order to prevent this budget drama or crisis?
We do not have a budget crisis. If that was true, I would not have been so
worried. We have a political crisis due to perpetual deficit of democracy
and culture of dialogue, and permanent usurpation of public resources
on the part of small groups, which are regularly featured in the headlines
in our shaggy parliamentary democracy.
If until recently Latinka Perovik had all the reasons to state that “people is
not an eternal category” and that “history is full of tombstones for demised
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nations”, adding that “Serbia is disappearing, we do not understand the
current time”, what can we say about our incomparably greater problems
and five times less numerous nation? Do we understand the current
time? Do our leaders truly understand our national vulnerability? Do
they see the day-to-day melting of our national substance? Do they see
our backsliding, our permanent exodus and do they think that batons
will strengthen the state? Hence, I do not think that the budget is our
problem. Our disease goes much deeper: economic, political and deeply
cultural and ethnic crisis that has been going on uninterruptedly. Such
disease cannot be treated with phalanxes marching in the streets, who –
in the style of hounds – set us against those of different mind.
What are you forecasts for this year’s growth rate of Macedonian
economy? In order to demonstrate growth on annual level, the third
quarter has to be marked by GDP growth rate of 1.5 %. Is this possible
considering the fact that both industry and retail are marked by
decline, and only construction is marked by increase, but is boosted
by the Government with state-funded construction projects, in order to
prevent the economy from downturn? Also, what are your forecasts for
2013? The World Bank is projecting a growth rate of 1%, while IMF sets
it at 2%. What is your opinion?
In the middle of the year I said that we will not move far from a growth
rate of zero. There were rumours that we might even finish the year with
a small minus. However, I also heard that somebody has made sure that
OKTA (oil refinery) is activated in the last months, which will maintain our
growth rate around positive zero. Next year will be exceptionally difficult
as well. The credit infusion will provide a short-term solution and will
disguise the overall fiasco of this government’s economic policy, as it has
exhausted the overall oil reserves with its unreasonable, unproductive
spending that has started as soon as it came in power. There is no good
news from the European economy. Images that we sent from and around
the Parliament are additionally worsening matters in regard to possible
foreign investment inflows. In any case, next year will be a year of survival,
and not a year of growth and development.
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How will Macedonia deal with public debt liabilities that will mature
in 2013, and in 2015, when we are expected to return the money from
one Eurobond and in 2016 when we need to repay major amounts?
Do Macedonia and the current government have the capacity to
refinance these debts in a situation where the global capital markets
demand high interest rates if we wish to issue a new Eurobond and in a
situation of European debt crisis when capital is not easily accessible
for European countries, let alone for us? What is your opinion on the
non-disclosure of exact amounts of arrears that the country should
repay from one year to another in the next 5 years? Is this justifiable?
Even at this moment Macedonia has difficulties in managing its public
debt. If this was not true, the Government would not have so aggressively
pursued new, high borrowing, resorting even to use of force against those
who tried to prevent it. Moreover, it would not have hidden the amount
of total public debt and would not have allowed regular liabilities related
to domestic public debt not to be serviced. The Government has entered
a cycle of credit dependency that it cannot exit without consequences,
both economic and political. It needs credits to service matured credit
arrears, credits to settle debts towards the private sector, credits to fill
in open gaps in financial construction to complete projects from “Skopje
2014”, credits for subsidies-related liabilities, etc. At this moment, the
government’s dependence on credits, needed to maintain its self-created
image of “generous” and “construction-friendly” government, is equal to
the need of a notorious alcoholic for a glass of drink without which his
hands would not stop shaking. Without new credits, their entire concept
would tumble down as a house of cards. In my personal opinion, further
maintenance of this concept for economic policy leading is approaching
its demise. If we lack internal capacity to discontinue this practice, then
expensive warnings will come from outside.
Interview: Vladimir Petreski
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CULTURE
JADRO’s reaction about the violence exerted by
ruling authorities31
JADRO (association of the independent cultural sector) stands in defence
of democratic principles and freedom of reaction, critical thinking and
action in the Republic of Macedonia. In the past years, we witnessed
that space for free action in all social spheres is increasingly narrowed.
Violence exerted in the political and socio-cultural arena culminated with
the violence in the Parliament.
Members of JADRO, in line with their commitments, mission and objectives
will oppose any attempt to destroy the democratic socio-cultural space.
Someone has to show that this country has people who voluntarily, free
of party colours, decided to create as free people and to contribute to
their country without being guided by the baton of those in power.
These days we were faced with extremely violent waiving of citizen’s
right to reaction, right to different opinion and participation in decisions
that affect not only the government, but all citizens of the Republic
of Macedonia. We would like to remind the authorities that this is a
democratic country and that any sign of totalitarian and dictatorial
behaviour would not be tolerated.
31 http://jadroasocijacija.org.mk/?p=348
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Events that unfolded these days are entirely contrary to the principles
of citizens united in JADRO, whose mission is to point to any retrograde
cultural policies by means of critical and constructive dialogue, by
introducing progressive, inclusive and democratic public policies and
practices in the field of culture and generally, in society.
Time is ripe to ask ourselves whether in theory and in practice there is
any position that has a slight chance of avoiding the fall into the clutches
of few people in power. We want freedom in the Republic of Macedonia
to be re-established. We will not allow manipulation of cultural and
political paradigms that is being done for all these years and has become
an instrument of violence. In the society of spectacle, where power is
most easily demonstrated and we are held hostage, one must insist
experiences of freedom to be recorded, remembered and taken seriously.
In an utterly twisted world, lie becomes a moment of truth. We no longer
want to live in a country where these are replaced. We will fight fiercely
using the resistance strategies that we know best (new cultural practices,
policies, and self-organized actions) against all forms of false democracy,
empty floscules and promises so easily flaunted by the dictatorship.
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Freedom is necessity, not choice (addressed to
my 25-year-old daughter and her generation)
My dear,
I want to talk to you about something very important. On your request,
many times in the past we have discussed topics of your interest for
which you thought I would be a good interlocutor.
Fifteen years ago, in October 1998, more than hundred thousand young
Serbs became activists of a youth movement which, using revolutionary
methods, organized itself into a force that caused the demise of Slobodan
Milosevic in neighboring Serbia.
Equipped with strong will, mental and psychological commitment,
intellectual restlessness, and creative spirit immanent only to the
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energy of a young and progressive mind, they were united under the
project entitled “RESISTANCE”. That project aimed at establishing the
foundations for a new Serbia that would be built following the model of
advanced democracies.
Principles that united them were drawn from the failure of all past offers.
Thus, students and young people became the driving force of changes;
they managed to awake and inform their parents that the truth is not
what enslaved media are broadcasting, but that truth is what happens in
real life, on the streets; they succeeded in motivating others by giving an
example of personal courage, being witty where allowed and being able
to create a contemporary message. That project was as a result of the
awakening of a lost and frustrated Internet generation. These were young
people, people who refused to accept what others are telling them to do.
Any exercise on enlisting the similarities and facts that would confirm
the parallel between Slobodan Milosevik’s regime in Serbia or any other
dictatorship and the last six years in Macedonia would result in a long
list.
These days, we are witnessing the ultimate authentic confirmation on
the existence of a brutal regime in our country. The current government,
comprised of sworn democrats and integration-supporters, showed us
that, in a period of only ten days of pressures, with the use of legitimate
democratic means, without re-thinking its actions, it can reach for the
only solution it could think of: use of force. People’s representatives were
being hauled, battered and humiliated; force was used to remove the
journalists from their job posts. In modern time, such standards are not
becoming even for most African countries.
My dearest, I am 46 years old. I have always considered myself a person
of restless spirit, defiant and rebellious, a person who wants to change
the world. Maybe I have failed to change the world, but I have always tried
to keep the pace with the times, to radiate with energy, irreconcilability,
enthusiasm, belief that everyone can make a contribution towards own,
but also towards common progress and wellbeing, in an honest manner
nonetheless, rather than on the detriment of others.
This is the time when our homeland is in need as nowhere before of
your spiritual agility, your condemnation, your admonition, your youth,
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your energy, your tenacity, your ideas for a better future, your creative
potential, your mind and knowledge, your adaptability to new trends and
technologies, your intellect and world perceptions, your stubbornness to
make this piece of land a constant festival of progress, beauty, richness
of the spirit, cultural treasures, vast talents, a place where mind, reason,
joy and friendship will be celebrated.
Help us to jointly restore the categories of honor, honesty, friendship,
dedication, commitment, and solidarity.
Defeat those who had been proved to be successful only in accumulating
criminal proceeds for themselves and making this country a bleak
house for the rest of us. Things will not happen by themselves. I will be
at the barricades, but nowhere in the world was the revolution brought
by generations who are past their zenith or by pensioners. It depends
on you. It depends on the dilemma to leave the country and long for
white beans and ajvar for the rest of your lives or to stay here, humbly
languishing and begging certain party authorities to allow you to earn
your meal today. Choose to reconsider and re-create what you have, your
own. Stay incorruptible on that road.
History of the young Macedonian democracy is created now and here.
Do not stay at home, comfortably wrapped in your blankets. You have
the chance to write the history. Way before you, other 25-year-olds had
planned uprisings in their respective times.
Macedonia is the first-ranked country in the world according to the misery
index. That creates an even greater obligation for all of us.
Do not let Vlatko Gjorcev design your future and the future of this country.
You deserve more than the pulp fiction sold by certain media gladiators
and embezzlers. You have the whole life ahead of you. For yourselves, for
your lives, but also because of the obligation to leave something behind
you; for the freedom, that is necessity, and not choice.
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Sofija Kunovska
Open letter to Branko Gjorcev
Dear Branko,
In the story written by Jordan Plevnes and directed by Vlado Cvetanovski,
titled “Happiness – New Idea in Europe”, you played my husband. In one
scene, whispering under a sheet, every time we performed, we shared
the secrets of our actor hearts. In that play, you and I were the father and
mother of Europe. We had great responsibility on the stage, before the
audience, because the play carried a huge civilization weight expressed
through our Macedonian creative spirit. We performed the same play
together on the stage in “Romain Roland” in Paris. Those were the days
when your ruthless enemies were in power and had no money to pay for
my hard-earned royalties on time. We had hard times coping with the
monologues that emanated symbolism, which we as actors had to deliver
in a realistic and truthful manner before the audience. I still remember the
entire work process, that 1997, like it was yesterday. I was angry at myself
because I could not digest everything from the rich theatrical feast, but
eventually it turned out to be a fantastic premiere. That night I finally
understood what my professor Ljubisa Georgievski used to say – that our
responsibility is the same as the one of a pilot and a medical doctor! That
the theatre requires sacrifices, bigger sacrifices than any party system,
but that theatre can change the system (the person). Back then I was his
assistant at the Faculty of Drama Arts. I still use his quotes and methods
today, and sometimes I even forget to say they are his, because I feel
them as mine, as part of me. He left me the actor’s responsibility in a
legacy. His classes were actually classes on theatre-dream, and I started
my acting career in his play “YU-Antithesis”.
Your father, the unrivalled actor Aco Gjorcev and Ljubisa Georgievski were
friends of my mother, Cvetanka Trpkova. She respected and worshiped
them in her own way. All three, as artists who work in the same line of
work, but have different specialty, must have been often misunderstood,
unaccepted and humiliated. Not just because of their political party (non)
affiliation, but above all because of their uniqueness, intellect, talent and
craze. They were strong individuals who left their mark on all of us. That
is the price that every true artist had paid, is paying and will pay. Not for
his family, but for his people. Unlike you, I have never been a member of
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any party and I have not asked any party to protect me. Not a single party
could know or fulfil my artistic dreams. Not a single party could articulate
my artistic positions. Also, not a single party could buy my thoughts, win
my heart or protect my family. Never have things depended on them, but
on me! It depends on all of us! I have articulated all my inner turmoil and
disgrace in which I have been pushed by all political parties so far – and I
have done it alone – be it on the stage or in the then Studentski zbor, on
TV or in other printed media. Open, loud and clear!
I do not know if your father would be proud of you, if he were alive? I do
not know if Meri’s father is proud of her either?
The artist should have his own standing. An artist-intellectual should
express his position. Your artistic strength and power, and your talent
are much greater and more spiritual than any political party interests. It
would be very fair and manly of you if you could articulate that position
loud and clear. In a manner that befits an actor of your calibre, with dignity
and without insult and hatred, even if it was a matter of your deep faith
in the party and its ideals. You, as an actor, if you have such ideals - you
need to win people to your side. Your voice has not only cast a shadow
over your family, but it also cast a shadow of shame and doubt on the
whole nation. I do not know if your father would be proud of you, if he
were alive? I do not know if Meri’s father is proud of her either? But I know
for sure that Meri’s act is far from marring the greatness and the glow
of her father’s works, who was able to articulate his position in every
political system, primarily as a stage director and intellectualist, and
only then as a politician! It is a completely different story if his positions
have threatened somebody or not, whether somebody liked them or not.
Ljubisa Georgievski stated his position. Meri Georgievska stood firmly
behind her position – this is an example showing that blood is thicker
than water! Can YOU state your position? Courage to speak on one’s own
behalf is an inherent virtue, even if it collides with all other positions!
I want to know, as your colleague with whom I shared the desks in the
Faculty of Drama Arts, what is your position?! I would like to ask you, as
Director of Dramski Theatre, what are your criteria on becoming an actor
in that theatre?! How are people selected to stage a play or preform in
a play?! I want to know on what grounds are those criteria set? Family
ties? Political party ties? Or highly artistic principles? I want to know all
of this so we can sit together and build a JOINT ART STRATEGY for the
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future of young artists and the future of Macedonia, because as we all
know, artists are the vanguard in society! So nobody would ever use the
shameful wording that you have posted on Meri’s Facebook profile which
besmeared you and your party - and praised her, to whom the words were
addressed: “...Do not forget how, why and by whom you were employed.
I don’t believe that your employment was due to your brains, beauty or
talent“.
I do not speak the language of cynicism, blackmail, discrimination, lies
and hate. If you reply to me in these “unknown languages”, I would not
understand. But knowing you as much as I do, you are not that brilliant
actor as to have mastered these languages and make them yours overnight.
Current politics bought the artist’s life, damned his soul, filled his mouth
with mud, lobotomized his will, gave him poisonous material to spread
it among people.
The artist is not supposed to hold interest in politics, until politics
starts holding “interest” in him! Current politics bought the artist’s life,
damned his soul, filled his mouth with mud, lobotomized his will, gave
him poisonous material to spread it among people. Now is the time for
“The Misanthrope”, now is the time for “Richard III”! I played in both
plays that were staged at the time of the “communists rule”, your blood
enemies (the former was directed by Vlade Milcin, and the latter by
Rahim Burhan). The theme was popular back then and deeply concerned
the system of that time, but it was not banned!
This is a time of art plunged into darkness! Both, theatre and film lie
buried under the concrete garden on the Skopje square.
This is a time of art plunged into darkness! Both, theatre and film lie
buried under the concrete garden on the Skopje square. Individuals are
being ruthlessly, murderously and publicly shred to pieces, while the
worst of all arguments - the arguments of the majority opinion act as
their gravediggers.
Artists should not use political party slogans, artists do not call to hatred!
The duty of the artist is to pull on his back the whole history of the people
– towards the future, in the same way as in the most beautiful scene
in our joint performance, you symbolically dragged the burden of the
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terrible European history, delivering a monologue that shocks you to the
core. I know, love and respect that Branko!
Death for politics – freedom for art!
As long as they are blind to kitsch, poverty, primitivism, savagery and
spiritual obscurity in their own country - Macedonia will not see the light
of day.
P.S. A country where the actors are servants of the ruling authorities – has
no future. As long as their voices echo back from the walls of this country
and do not go beyond it - Macedonia would not exist. As long as they
place red carpets in the small-town cinemas and theatres to victoriously
walk on, Macedonia would be destitute to small-town glory! As long
as they are blind to kitsch, poverty, primitivism, savagery and spiritual
obscurity in their own country - Macedonia will not see the light of day.
All of you, “fellow actors”, know the story of the Lion King. Currently we
are in the middle of the action when you, playing the role of hyenas are
shredding the half-alive prey. And even small children know how that
story ends!
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Sinolichka Trpkova
Protest: Departure from the Macedonian Society
of Writers (MSW)
To Macedonian Society of Writers, Skopje
Dear colleagues,
I would like to publicly announce my decision to denounce my membership
in the Macedonian Society of Writers, where I have participated in for
more than forty years. I decided on this venture in protest against MSW’s
failure to make any announcement in support of their fellow journalists
(most of us, writers, are actually journalists by profession) who, contrary
to the Constitution and the laws, but also contrary to all internationally
accepted norms on freedom and independence of journalism, were
forcefully evicted from the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia,
while performing their professional duties.
By taking this step, all alone, I express my support to the Association of
Journalists in Macedonia and the Macedonian journalists in general, to
the professionals and freedom-loving people who seek and are entitled
to response about the violence perpetrated on them and on the freedom
of information. My action is nothing more than an attempt to say that I am
among those who refuse to accept suppression of freedom in general, and
freedom of speech in particular. That is the main battle led by the Poets,
Essayists and Novelists International (PEN), where I have participated
during my years-long office as President of the PEN Macedonian, and
where I currently participate in the capacity of Honourable President.
In that, I am trying to abstain from using the obsolete and somewhat
pathetic catch phrase that writers are the conscience of a nation. Nobody
has the right to be the conscience of the nation or of anybody for that
matter. Everybody must enjoy his/her own conscience.
What would have happened these days if it were not for journalism,
reporters and cameramen? How we would have learned that Macedonians
confronted one another in front of the Parliament; that Macedonians
opposed one another, but were actually brought there as some sort of
paramilitary squads that should fight between them “for the benefit of
the people”.
211
How we would have learned that a number of artists, under a political
party spell, and not on behalf and for the benefit of those who are not
politically affiliated, took to the streets of Skopje, carrying a banner with
large letters that read “ART”. As the artists were dragging this banner, the
art itself was weeping tears of sorrow. There are few good artists among
those who protested which only makes the betrayal greater and raises
additional moral dilemmas. Thus, in a clever and gentle text, actress
Sinolicka Trpkova addresses Branko Gjorcev with these words: “I want
to know, as your colleague with whom I shared the desks in the Faculty
of Drama Arts, what is your position? ... A country where the actors are
servants of the ruling authorities has no future”.
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Dimitar Basevski
HOSTAGES32
The history already turned its back on these people, otherwise known as
actors, several days ago.
Allow me, in the same manner as Sinolicka, to say that “A country where
the writers are servants of the ruling authorities has no future”. Adorno
has said: “After Auschwitz, poetry could no longer be written!” Of course,
he was not right. Poetry should be written, nonetheless more than
before. I want to believe that when he said this, Adorno actually wanted
to strongly emphasize the heights of human bestiality, especially when
encouraged by bloodthirsty ideologies.
Is the MSW obliged to express its support to the journalists? Of course
not. Everyone acts according to his/her own convictions. But, again,
deeds are what to a great extent help us to unveil who we are.
I must admit that, for the first time in my life, I am writing a text after
being persuaded into it, although I believe that all of us should make
a contribution to what happened in front of the Parliament on 24th
December 2012.
Nevertheless, I felt an ugly institution inside me that held my thoughts
hostage for a long time (several hours). SELF-CENSORSHIP!
It is one of the ugliest human characteristics and concerns the fear of
one’s own conformism. So, since I’m not a conformist “by vocation”, I
decided to take certain steps. Namely, I recently announced that I am
denouncing my children, grandchildren and other relatives for their own
good, so they would not bear the consequences of my “uncontrolled”
actions.
That said and done, I can freely write and go on and on about things
without anybody being hurt because of me. You ask me where did I get
the idea for such move?! It’s very simple: I was indirectly and directly
warned, also by phone, to mind my behaviour and what I write about.
I told them to mind their own business, as my life is slowly, but surely
setting, and I have nothing to lose, not even the hammer and the sickle,
because they were taken away from me by our “visionaries” who were
convincing me that I am yet to taste beauties of life.
32 http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/77686
213
All right, I said to myself, let’s see if that is true. I earned purple bags
under my eyes, my nerves were stretched, I became Godot, but no trace
of better life. On the contrary, every new day brought fresh ugliness. I
have a part in it, but not entirely.
Then, all of a sudden, I became a hostage to one and the same policy, but
names of promulgators for “crucial” ideas changed. Somehow, all power
holders are close to me. I was confused. Reading through their election
programs, I realized they are like two peas in a pod, which made me ask
myself “Why do we need a pluralistic system, when all of them care for
me as if I were their closest relative?” They demonstrated equal care for
the state as well. Do you notice that I write in past tense? Yes, those times
are over, but new times have come, times when vagrants, callow people,
who were entirely anonymous yesterday, are in power today. I asked
myself many times before “Who allows this and where is the problem?”
Most probably, the problem lies in the genetic code. I have a feeling that
when God Almighty created the human kind, he created the Macedonian
last. Was it because of tiredness, or maybe because he had it enough, he
allowed for a miracle of flaws to slip into our code. For goodness sake,
how can we live as hostages to certain persons who would have been
nothing and nobody if it weren’t for politics?
All of a sudden, artists, intellectuals, craftsmen.. they all became their
hostages. Helloooo, how much longer? I also address this “hello” to me.
How long will we allow various semi-mediocre persons to play us? How
long will we flatter them? How long will we be somebody’s poltroons and
bootlickers? To make the absurdity greater, we then want them to leave!
How can they leave, when they are having the time of their lives? They
kick our butts, and we lick their boots. One cannot wish for more!
Let me go back to events from 24th December 2012. What did we
wish, what did we expect? When these things were happening in the
neighbouring countries, we admired them. We empathized with the
Serbs, the Bulgarians; we cheered for them as if on a football match,
and we admired their conquest of the Parliament that was our shrine of
power not so long ago; we encouraged and congratulated the Bulgarians
when they conquered their Parliament as well. Great, one neighbour
after another. However, and there is always a “HOWEVER”. The dancing
214
bear came to our town now, and what have we as Biblical and Ancient
Macedonians done? We buried our heads in the sand, thinking IT DOES
NOT CONCERN ME, LET THEM PUT EACH OTHER’S EYES OUT.
My dear, dear neighbours and friends, please, in the future, let us not
insult the Bible and Ancient Times by forcefully injecting ourselves in the
history. Hellooo Ancient Macedonians, Alex the Great would have been
ashamed with your unjustly claims and identification with him. Shame
on you! What did we do when our eyes (the journalists) were forcefully
dragged out of the Parliament’s gallery? What did we do when MPs, both
men and women, were hauled like animals from the Parliament? Should
I tell you? No? I know, truth hurts, but we were all stretched out in front
of our TV sets like some sort of tattling aunts, watching soap operas or
patriotic programs, or even listening to turbo-folk music. We did not have
any other option. As I was channel hopping, even information coming
from the field sounded like fabrications. According to the national
television stations, we have been living in the land of milk and honey.
Then, I noticed a Facebook post saying “Well done, Bobi Hristov” and
immediately switched to 24Vesti and finally saw the actual image of our
reality.
Alex the Great
would have been
ashamed with
your unjustly
claims and
identification
with him.
Such a sad sight! Leader of the opposition dignifiedly stands in the
crowds, sadness overshadowing his eyes. Betrayed by his own fellow
party members from Skopje. If it weren’t for resourceful citizens of
Strumica, witty people of Prilep, the crowd around him would have been
much smaller. It was my first time to see BC (Branko Crvenkovski) so
angry and furious, that he had no other option but to break through the
barriers and go forth even at the price of “sustaining” a couple of police
batons. Gentlemen, keepers of public order, are you aware who are you
battering? Never mind that he is the leader of the opposition, or that he
was our Prime Minister in the past, but this man was the President of the
Republic of Macedonia and has not once embarrassed his country, as
the ruling party often does. Shame on you! You have no virtue or respect.
Radmila Sekerinska was dragged around like a rag, forgetting that it was
this Lady that brought Macedonia to the doorstep of the European Union.
But, all is so easily forgotten. She is from SDSM, and everything from
SDSM must be destroyed. The ruling party’s motto is: who is not with
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us, is against us! Nonsense, pure nonsense! How do they come up with
these ideas? I disagree with them, but it does not mean they are my
enemies. It’s as simple as that. On the contrary, I tend to see them all as
constructive opponents.
One more thing. I was, am and will continue to be the person I am. People
recognize me on the streets, even though I am not a politician. People sit
with me, drink schnapps, coffee (not true), and they share tapas with me,
even though I have no power, no power whatsoever.
What about you, you poor schmucks? What will happen to you once you
are overthrown from power? What do you expect? Are you aware that all
your hostages would turn their backs on you? Do you know about the
turning of sunflowers? How can you possibly know? You are not farmers,
but protest and receive subsidies as if you were farmers. Since we discuss
the art of pretending, allow me to address some of my former colleagues.
My darlings, I love you all, but there is a huge difference between artist
and person dealing in art. You see the difference, don’t you?
That’s all folks. I have one more plea: free me from your captivity, let my
children, grandchildren and all young people live their lives.
On a different occasion, I will talk about guys who brag about “being
gifted in the groin area”.
Be safe and sound, and God save us.
Marin Germov – artist without party affiliation
216
Ten days later
Ten days have passed from the day which, according to the calendar of
Ancient Maya, was to bring the end of the world. This was also the day when
some Macedonian “artists”, mainly managers, government’s champions
and favourites, decided to kneel down before the government (because
they had to), but also before the opposition, if deemed necessary (?!).
In the 21st century and in regard to Macedonian artists, what happened
ten days ago is equal to the end of the world, i.e., the artistic world that
implies dignity, right to personal opinion, right to individual position,
right to resistance, right to face the truth and the ugly reality we are
living here and now. Let me remind you that the artists use the stage
to vigorously fight for the other, artistic truth that should reach out to
the auditorium and instigate thinking, re-examining, and often instruct,
wake emotions, enlighten. I wonder what audience would believe the
above-mentioned “artists” when they stage their art, at least until (in the
future) oblivion erases the shame, not only theirs, but unfortunately also
the shame of the entire profession, on whose behalf, in the capacity of
managers and art directors at national institutions, members of various
councils, committees, etc., appointed only for the purpose to act as
blinded executors of party orders, they dared to declare themselves
martyrs and kneel down in the name of brighter future for the culture
in the Republic of Macedonia. My reaction may be belated considering
the more distressing events in the Macedonian Parliament in the days
that followed, when people’s representatives from the ruling parties
remained silent observers, brainwashed, as if they were robots (maybe
they are?!) to the unprecedented violence inflicted on their colleagues,
also people’s representatives, in the name of “state interests”, which
rendered any normal person not only speechless, but breathless as
well. However, I needed the time distance to supress the anger built up
inside me that blocks clear thought and can sometimes hurt an innocent
person such as, for example, those in the crowd who were not artists,
but had to obey the orders, in order to keep their jobs. This farce featured
performances of several actors (pitiful human beings) who did not know
how to hide away and who, most probably, are major debtors to the
current government.
Some Macedonian
“artists”,
mainly
managers,
government’s
champions and
favourites,
decided to
kneel down
before the
government.
217
Deep down, they know that Meri Georgievska was right to say that the
theatre is not made only of the building, but of the people who work
there as well.
I am very curious to learn how are these managers -“artists”, who proudly
stood on the improvised stage and “fought” for the adoption of the state
budget with so much emotions, feeling today, ten days later and after
everything that happened, knowing that they receive only crumbs from
the state budget? Or maybe they knew what would happen next? I was
surprised with their absence from the forefronts of the so-called People’s
Front. They are remarkable characters, often present in the televisions
in recent years, whom one cannot but recognize them. Or maybe they
were there after all, but very well disguised? Where were they to face
the “terrible” enemy across the street... to lead the crowd in victorious
manner... to throw a stone or two, if needed... to die for “people’s
rights”... for “people’s” budget... to complete the shameful play wherein,
as top artists that they are considered to be or consider themselves, they
were given the roles of their lives? I am sure that as reward for courage
and sacrifice demonstrated, they would be appointed members of the
ensemble that would create art at the Old-New Theatre, but deep down
they know that Meri Georgievska was right to say that the theatre is not
made only of the building, but of the people who work there as well. It is
an old and well-known truth.
In the new 2013, I wish them great success in defending, first and
foremost, the government (for them, irrelevant is who is in power), and
then, with all my heart, I wish them great success in their artistic careers.
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Liljana Veljanova
The pitiful country where the artists support
the dictatorship
Often, it was the artists who were pioneers in promoting, protecting and
fighting for democracy.
Artists, together with workers, students and academicians were those
who pioneered in promotion, protection and fight for democracy.
They always took one step forward in confronting the government and
seeking greater freedom, more space for diversity, more democracy and
lesser influence by power holders.
In the past 20 years, our artists have not once organized themselves in
defence of human rights, against any action of the government or the
police. They did not oppose the closure of media outlets; they were not
affected by Macedonia’s involvement in military actions; they never
supported the rights of marginalized groups.
Unlike the artists who materially and in-kind support the movement
“Occupy Wall Street”, or those who support peace and rights of the
oppressed, our actors and artists stood in defence of the government,
in protection of the dictatorship and in support of uncontrolled power.
No, they did not take to the streets in support of redundant workers or
workers from “Ohis”; it was unimaginable for them to stand side by side
with the medical doctors; they were neither affected by the problems
of internally displaced persons. Not a chance. They protested against
the opposition, against asking questions, against the request for
responsible public spending.
I completely understand the prominent party soldiers and people who
have nothing to do with art, but have been employed by the ruling party
and now need to defend that employment. I completely understand
the illness of a person who lost track of reality and was given a Lifetime
Achievement Award for that. But I have no understanding for Dejan Lilic
and people of his kind.
What agony has forced him to stand in defence of fascism so fiercely?
What drama did he imagine he was performing and what text was he
Our actors and
artists stood
in defence of
the government,
in protection
of the
dictatorship
and in support
of uncontrolled
power.
219
reading? Was it “Hamlet”, “Romeo and Juliet”, or perhaps “The Dead
Actor” or maybe everything has become so distorted in his mind and he
started worrying about Alexander’s patricide? Or maybe he identified
himself with Bay Ganyo from Romania and got lost in the labyrinth of his
own ignorance?
What I know for sure is that I lost all interest in the art in Macedonia,
Macedonian theatre and this country where all matters are turned
upside down.
220
Mirjana Najceska
Iskra Gesoska, citizen of the Republic of
Macedonia
I am not a person who gives speeches; the Lord has not bestowed
me with the gift to inspire masses. However, I am gifted to love and to
recognize freedom; and even more, I have my alarm calibrated to set off
when freedom is missing, when it is slowly slipping away!
My parents have taught me that love is demonstrated and proven with
and through freedom. When you love someone, you should not only give
them freedom, but you should also teach them to avidly and defiantly seek
and defend it. Moreover, freedom eliminates any fear of communication
and free expression. Freedom implies permanent, critical re-examination
of who we love and what we love. If what my parents have taught me is
true, do we have freedom in this country?
Well, if the ladies and gentlemen who are currently ruling and leading
the state declare themselves patriots, which implies they love their
homeland and its citizens, why have they taken away the freedom and
the right to think and speak. Petre M. Andreevski said: “I determine
my right to opinion according to the amount of freedom given to me.
But, rest assured, whenever I disagree with myself, I disagree with all”.
These authorities do not want and do not allow others to think. Even
when they allow you to think, they outline, review, censor, proofread and
file your opinions. They want you to think according to a format given
as undeniable pattern. One’s freedom of opinion is under permanent
control. The authorities think that wisdom befits only those who are in
power. Should they learn that a commoner uses such wise words, they
legally confiscate them. Even shame is unbefitting for you, but when it
comes to them, they have nothing to be ashamed of. What should one
do about that? Should we should keep silent or turn the blind eye?
They believe it is only natural for common people to close their eyes at
gunpoint, when threatened with a baton or knife.
They turn the blind eye even at sudden sneeze, as everything must be
done in perfect silence, of course, to prevent things from being revealed.
We turn the blind eye to promotion of own stupidity, which is the only
praise-worthy attribute of today’s government. It turns the blind eye
to certain “non-profiled” mannequins who are joyous for having been
221
appointed as ministers, ignorant about the line ministry and matters
they are to manage.
We have another option: to open our eyes wide and speak up loudly,
fearlessly oppose them and courageously refuse to take for granted the
blindness produced and preached by the government.
Speak up, do not hesitate - is what my parents used to say!
What should I tell my late father, who fought for freedom in the Second
World War and who spend his lifetime in maintaining his free mindedness.
What should I tell him today when those who falsely present themselves
as forefathers of this country, violently and brutally demonstrate that
love is subordination and silence, and that free, critical thinking and
reaction should be disciplined and sanctioned with corruption, blocked
bank accounts and job dismissal.
These people
are thieves.
They have
robbed us of
the right to
politics, they
have hijacked
the culture,
they have
stolen the cohabitation, the
friendships...
222
What should I tell my mother, an actress, who has uttered thousands
of lines on stage dedicated to freedom and against oppression? How
can I explain her that in their time they were given more free space for
manoeuvring than today? How can I avoid feeling ashamed when I tell
her about her colleague artists and cultural workers who have become
obedient vassals for an extra penny and for false and dusty power, when
at the time of communism her generation of vanguard theatre artists
were brave and from the stage uttered words of strident criticism, thereby
defying the requirements of then-current leaders.
These people prevent us to love our country. They rob us of our lives.
These people are thieves. They have robbed us of the right to politics,
they have hijacked the culture, they have stolen the co-habitation, the
friendships, they are stealing and faking the history, and have smeared
and destroyed the home.
They have entangled us in a semi-false history, in order to dumbfound
us and disguise their responsibility and their destruction of the present
and the future, in order to disguise the misdoings they are accumulating
here and now. History can be a trump card, but not a false comfort.
Therefore, I prefer to think about the future, however, with due account of
lessons from the past. That is why we need to oppose all those who have
hurled us into a time and place whose ugly guise we could have never
imagined possible. The future must not continue without us, without the
citizens. As of last Monday, the future takes place on the streets. And it
will continue to be there until the enslaved and subordinated institutions
restore the freedom and deliver on citizens’ demands.
The monument-based defocusing would no longer help them.
It is time for cavalry, which I believe will pertinently stand against any
form of violence!
We are left with nothing else, but to ask ourselves whether this world
that is slowly approaching its demise and that is self-destructing without
knowing it, has a core of competent persons who can deal with the lies
and who are able to open up the horizon of truth and create a story that
will resist the dogma we no longer believe in.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear citizens, it seems we have arrived too
late to the show, theatre doors are already closed. However, between
two acts there is a slight chance that doors could be opened again.
Let us rush in, into the essence of this social play and find our seat in
the darkness! We have missed the start of the plot, and one cannot
do anything about it. That should not stop us to integrate ourselves in
the play and be energetic and careful contributors to playwriting and
directing.
Iskra Gesoska
223
INTERVIEWS
Zoja Buzalkovska – Artist must be the watchful
eye for social anomalies!33
“Only a person with marred dignity can be afraid to express his positions
in public, because he knows that those on the other side have already
set the trap for reminding him of times when ‘his people’ were in power
and of times when he behaved in the same, or even worse manner”,
said our stage director and professor at the Faculty of Drama Arts, Zoja
Buzalkovska.
Her clear and unambiguous message for the artists immediately before
their protest (from today’s perspective, an event from the end of last
year) at the time of “concerns about the adoption of the state budget for
2013” has one and only goal: to protect the integrity of artists, but also
of the art, which was just one of the motives for interviewing this renown
Macedonian stage director.
Of course, in our discussion, we touched upon issues concerning the
state-of-affairs in the theatre, interference of politics in the theatre,
recent data from the State Statistical Office on the declining interest for
attending theatre, the shadow cast on living art, art-activism, etc...
We saw your general position about the protest of “artists”, disguised
as protest for adoption of the “state budget for 2013”. How would
you define this move made by a group of people on the Macedonian
cultural scene? Is this an extreme abuse of culture workers, and did the
actors become “servants” of the ruling party by making this move?
- By taking to the streets, part of culture workers practically tried to help
the government to push through its goals and interests. The request
33 http://www.plusinfo.mk/mislenje/694/Umetnikot-treba-da-e-dezhurno-oko-za-opshtestvenite-anomalii
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sent from the protest was most appealing to all: construction of the
old-new theatre building or the Macedonian Philharmonic. Thus, in
the most perfidious manner a deception was marketed for those who,
if able to better understand the broader social and political context
underlying the blocking of budget’s adoption, would have never taken
to the streets. However, allowing oneself to become a tool in the hands
of the ruling authorities and serving its interests is possible only if one
benefits from shared profits. For me, that was a defeating realization,
which I have come to long time ago. Then, I said that such move is yet
another unscrupulous attempt on the part of the government to continue
its profligacy with citizens’ money, and by means of which the artists
are turned into servants of the policy on continuous impoverishment of
people for the personal proceeds of a handful of individuals. I could have
never imagined the ruthlessness applied in settling the account with
those who would stand in the way of that intention and what it would
have been turned into. With great regret and revolt I watched the scenes
of journalists and MPs being pushed around and thrown out as rags
from the Parliament. I am very interested to know whether after only one
or two days, many of the people who protested felt that they had been
manipulated, just as I warned them?
Truth to be told, artists who publicly refused to be classified as “artists
fighting for the budget’s adoption” were few in number. Do you believe
that some artists were forced and abused (those who protested), while
others were afraid? Is culture becoming hostage to politics and means
for self-promotion?
- Politics has its hooks deeply rooted in all social spheres. It is present
where it should not be. In the field of culture, it virtually destroys the
artistic values, and thereby disrupts the promotion of general and human
values, while in other fields it can even threaten human lives, because
competence has been replaced with suitability. Art must not and cannot
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have anything in common with politics. Theatre managers cannot be
appointed to such offices only because they are members of certain
political party, nor should actors be employed at the theatres for the
same reasons. Incomprehensible is the fact that for years now nobody
at the theatres has engaged in discussing the concepts, the authors,
the quality of performing and other creative staff, the aesthetics of
playwriting or stage directing? It seems that these matters have become
irrelevant. Then, what should I teach my students? What should I prepare
them for? Where am I am sending them? How am I to explain them that
the stage is an aesthetic space that must not be smeared, and how will
they believe me? Artists have been divided for a long time now and with
sharply defined borders. That has resulted in the death of creativity. As
for the fear, I have already discussed this issue on several occasions in
the past. However, given the events that unfolded few days ago, I do
not know if there is a person in this country who does not feel fear. If
there is such person, he/she is wrong for not being afraid, because it
means that he/she is disillusioned or does not completely understand
matters. At the moment when the executive branch of the government,
by undermining the legislative house, suspended the Constitution and
took unlawful and unconstitutional decisions, citizens most certainly felt
unprotected. From that moment onwards, can citizens trust any legal,
judicial instances? Which instances can they trust? Whom can they
address with their complaints? Whom can they sue and in front of which
institutions? If the highest officials act in violation of the laws, who is
left to protect people’s interests? As from few days ago, nothing in this
country is the same. The definition for what is happening to us implies
frivolousness known from the time of Caligula. Anarchy. Chaos. One
can pretend not to understand it and move forward, trying to forget, but
consequences are yet to remind us that it did happen and that we saw it
with our own eyes!
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Artists had sufficient reasons in the past years to organize protests, be
it to support matters in their field of work or to demonstrate support
and solidarity for threatened human rights of other groups. Why are
Macedonian artists hibernating for so long? In the world, it is common
for actors to gather and to protest in support of people who live in an
area where construction of a factory would threaten their lives. Are our
artists selfish, or do we lack greater consciousness and awareness?
- I think this is partly true and is due to the fact that many artists have
moved from art to politics. In that, I am not referring to those who, as
experts in particular areas, participate in the government to the best of
their competences. Actually, I refer to those who feel the need to become
party members and enjoy benefits of their party membership cards.
That is a major problem! Especially given that they did so with a very
specific interest and calculation of what they will gain. By doing so, they
sacrificed their artistic freedom. By selling their souls to “the devil”, they
contributed to the death of institutions that some of them manage. They
sold the sacred places of our culture for petty cash. Artists must always
be the watchful eye for social anomalies. They must be the progressive
force, somebody who cannot be charged or blackmailed, somebody with
a clean image, somebody who would not allow him/herself to be bought
by one way of thinking. Only a person with marred dignity can be afraid
to express his positions in public, because he knows that those on the
other side have already set the trap for reminding him of times when
“his people” were in power and of times when he behaved in the same,
or even worse manner. There are areas that must be immune to politics.
Art can and should deal with politics only on the stage and through the
works of playwrights. Taking to the streets and saying that you protest
as an artist is pointless if you are an active member of a political party.
Who would believe you and why should they? In the world, when artists
take to the streets, they do so in the capacity of stars with personal, often
uncompromising, attitude and not in the capacity of representatives of
political parties. That is what makes them powerful. If you look back
throughout history, artists were always on the side of the oppressed,
injured, weaker, damaged, enslaved or handicapped. Scandalous is to
protest in defence of the ruling authorities. Who are you defending them
from?
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Can the images from the protest be directly replicated in the theatres?
Does the same kind of “theatre” we have seen on the streets happen
there? Are roles given only to “suitable” actors and is the theatre far
from being honest and qualitative, in particular because it is not free?
- Yes. What we saw a couple of days ago was the summit of such “theatre”.
The cordons that we had seen, together with their police vests and dogs,
might as well sit in offices at state cultural institutions, disguised as
managers and audition councils that prevent anyone from passing the
test unless they are from “their people” or prevent anything from being
staged unless a bribe is offered. Under such circumstances, the theatre
has become a play-toy in the hands of few people and has significantly
shifted the concept of quality, so today works that are meaningless in
the broader context are actually being glorified. This results in lowered
criteria and expectations of the audience, although it is the audience that
determines the commercial effect, which is of great importance for some
managers nowadays, but renders the theatre meek and totally distanced
from the social and political context in which it is created.
How would you assess today’s situation of theatre in Macedonia,
especially in regard to recent data from the State Statistical Office on
the decreasing attendance at play performances and declined share of
theatre-goers by 34.2% compared to the 2010/2011 season?
- The situation of theatres in Macedonia has considerably worsened.
Theatre has been distorted from the time in which it is created. It lost the
sharpness. It is sunken in compromises. Many theatre companies are
becoming predominantly interested in earnings. They no longer produce
plays that provoke, stimulate or thrill. Material and spiritual destitute is
being emanated from the theatre stage, with few exceptions.
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What is your view on the poetics and repertoire of theatres in
Macedonia, in general? Is the current course of development at the
theatres promising better future or...? Does the new theatre building
automatically mean better quality of the repertoire?
- One cannot put all theatres in the same basket. This year, I attended
several plays at the Bitola Theatre and I must say that they all
demonstrated a high level of performance, regardless whether I liked the
play or not. The Prilep Theatre offers an excellent repertoire for several
years now. Also, in the last year or two the Macedonian National Theatre
showed a rather clear-cut repertoire policy. Great drama classics have
been reintroduced on the stage, and very soon Dejan Dukovski’s latest
text will premiere. In terms of post-production, I noticed that MNT equally
cares for its plays and repertoire to have certain continuum, which
certainly is praiseworthy. As regards the new theatre building, it does not
automatically imply quality repertoire. However, buildings where theatre
is created mirror the state’s awareness about the importance of living art
in the light of spiritual development and fostering the greatest human
spiritual values. Decline of these values in the society is very dramatic
and has reached bottom rocks. Performances at the National Theatre
“Ivan Vazov” in Sofia, the Yugoslav Drama Theatre or the National Theatre
in Belgrade, the Art Theatre in Moscow or the National Theatre in London
represent the country’s code in the field of theatre arts. In that sense, I
really look forward to the new building and I believe that it will offer a
unique experience for theatre workers to create there.
How big is the mistake made by the Ministry of Culture with these
so-called capital investments, but also with the invasion of the
monuments, at the detriment of living art?
- This a completely different story altogether There is great discrepancy
in the construction cost for these monumental buildings reported by the
competent institution and the cost reported by the media. Moreover,
throughout the history there have been no other examples of a country,
even a much more economically developed country than Macedonia,
which has ventured the construction of so many buildings at the same
time. Once, my colleague suggested that instead of waiting for a year
or two to get paid by the Ministry of Culture for the timely and well
performed work on our behalf, we should visit the construction sites
and take sandbags, decorative pillars, lion or Alexander figurines in the
hope that we might be able to sell them at good price to a self-sacrificing
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Ancient Macedonian, who proudly walks along the capital city streets
and admirably photographs the new buildings. Why did my colleagues
fail to indicate the budgets they dispose with for production of plays?
This is particularly true for some of us. Lists made available to us would
not suffice to learn who and why is given the real opportunities in this
state. Others, just fill-in the empty spots on the programme. To make the
irony greater, whenever a theatrical project is awarded embarrassingly
small budget, whenever funds intended for scenography and costumes
are disbursed two days prior to the premiere or not at all, the response is
always: there is no money. In my opinion, such response, at times when
the government constructs a multitude of unnecessary kitsch buildings
with monstrous proportions, is shameless and dashes all my hopes.
Where are the art patrons? Do we have a sense for that kind of support
for culture?
- Unfortunately, we don’t. It seems that rich people in our country have
no sense for theatre or culture in general. I was amazed to see art patrons
in Moscow awarding generous funds in support of theatre companies
where their idols work. In developed societies, being theatre benefactor
is considered a prestige, as that theatre might develop into a leading
theatre company in the country. In that, I am not talking about donations
in the amount of five or ten thousand euros, even though, as small as
they might seem, such amounts are unattainable for our theatres. In
Moscow, theatre companies that demonstrate quality and are worth
of investments benefit from financial support extended by banks and
corporations in amounts of several million dollars annually.
How strongly do your believe in the power of theatre? Does the theatre
have the power needed to “move mountains” or these are the times of
generations when advantage is given to other “discourses”?
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- If I did not believe in it, I would have stopped doing theatre. However,
theatre as it is today, thrown on the side-tracks, is unlikely to make any
changes. We need to restore its glory. What is truly dangerous is the fact
that new generations are becoming lethargic, in advance they are tired
of everything that surrounds them, protected by mechanisms that keep
them disinterested in the reality, contrary to the virtual reality which they
accept as an exit or escape route. In that sense, many of them are easily
corruptible, which is directly related to the social ambience that changes
only for the worse for a period of more than twenty years of transition.
They are blackmailed with decent salaries and a role or two every two
or three years. If they are good, they will be rewarded with dubbing a
character from a TV soap opera, because such artistic engagement in our
country has become a matter of prestige and suitability. Not everyone
can do it.
Do you think that art-activism is a mechanism for positive changes in
the society? Are some artists afraid to articulate the political, economic
and social context in their art works (due to various reasons)? Where
and why did the personal view and belief disappear at times when
critical position towards the reality should be manifested?
- I do not agree that art-activism has completely disappeared. On the
contrary, more often than not, it attacks from ambush and operates as
underground. The underground is comprised of theatres located in small
towns that are not in the focus of politics, and a handful of independent
projects. In theatre, as in other fields, the government has secured its
dominant position. One cannot produce a play wherein he would vilify
himself. That would be sheer stupidity. Be that as it may, we saw several
attempts of this kind as well. Rewarded. The play subjected to criticism
those who make the play, allegedly in an inverted manner of things.
Excellent disguise. At the same time, that is an extremely immoral act.
What is stage director Zoja Buzalkovska working on at the moment and
what can the theatre audience expect from you in the near future?
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- This year, my interest is bouncing between Chekhov and Pinter. Two
very different, yet, very close worlds. They are also closely related to the
social and political context that we live in. A clear message must be sent
by the mainstream theatre. Then we can talk about progress. It already
started to happen, and I hope that this year, it will also happen to me.
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Aneta Risteska
Meri Georgievska – I am afraid when a
Macedonian raises his hand against another
Macedonian
Is it time for true artists to free themselves from the steel grasps of
avarice, says Meri Georgievska, costume designer34
Meri Georgievska, who works as costume designer at the Macedonian
National Theatre (MNT), caused numerous reactions on the social
networks with her “courage” to publicly announce that she disagrees
with and will not participate in the protests organized by artists and
around the adoption of the state budget. Once she made her views
known in public, her colleagues uttered severe and sharp reactions,
verbal assaults and labels for her, but there were also those who stood
in her defence.
Meri, your reaction and condemn for the artists’ protest has obviously
hit close to home. Were you surprised with the reaction of your
colleagues at the theatre or maybe you expected fierce attacks,
considering your firm position in this matter?
I did not expect nothing more and nothing less since I used my legitimate
right to publish on the social network Facebook what everybody knows
now. Within seconds, I was attacked by three of my colleagues, two
of which used their own Facebook profiles and one used his spouse’s
profile. The surprise was great. They manipulated my position thinking
that they are securing their own political “triumph” in society. In contents
or message, my position was not addressed to them. I stood in protection
of art, which must not be held hostage to folklore blackmails or used as
means for manipulation and propaganda by a handful of people.
34 http://www.utrinski.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=A48220A8B00F814DB293F009
AC172389
233
You stated that you believe in art, but it seems that not everyone
has the same understanding of art. Are you hurt by that? Are you
disappointed with such division between artists and artists?
Division among artists is nothing new, neither in Macedonia, nor on the
Balkans, and even in the world. The history has seen numerous examples
of how societal relations affected and still affect the art. There is a longstanding tradition for the church and the state, just like rich poltroons, to
finance art in order to increase their power and prestige. Unfortunately,
in global terms today, it becomes clearer that market forces are those
that determine the success or the failure of the art.
I wonder if Michelangelo, when painting the Sistine Chapel, was free from
politics in his own artwork. I wonder if Nelson Rockefeller, when using
the words “free enterprise painting” in the context of modern abstract
expressionism offered a political definition of art. Every great artwork,
you will agree, is a subjective comment or observation about the stateof-affairs in the world.
In this case, I was directly attacked with heavy artillery by artists whose
existence for long time now has not produced art in the true meaning of
the word, and thus I remain appalled and flabbergasted with their hostile
armoury fired at me, my distinguished father Ljubisa Georgievski, and at
my entire family.
Maybe the most disappointing moment in all this was the division
in the profession, bringing out dirty laundry, uttering personal
disqualifications for artists and weighing who is more capable. Are you
faltered at bit by this situation?
Not once have I faltered in what I said in public. I still stand behind the
same words. I do not think that the profession is divided. It was divided,
but that was not so openly spoken about. Now, the question is voiced
on whether it is high time for true artists to free themselves of the steel
grasps of avarice. Should mystique and spirituality of artists be above
worldly and secular worries after all? Will the truth among artists become
234
universal, will it unite them and will it become stronger than their
corruptness?
In your opinion, where does art belong in our country? How frightening
is this situation, if we talk about values?
Macedonia, as a rare country, is abounding in immensely large number of
artists, who should be given equal opportunity to create. I cannot believe
for a second that my publicly declared enemies, three in total, and a
handful of people supporting them, will discourage me and the majority
that openly expressed distaste for their uncaused consequentialness in
the form of comments of the lowest, most despicable and unintelligent
kind.
What is the artist’s task, especially at times like these?
The artist has and does not have a task. He cannot allow himself to be
captivated by the psych of consumers’ culture. The artist has always
embodied politics, but he should never exhaust it! He should create
at any time and under any conditions. In the words of the great French
postmodernist and post-structuralist, Jean Baudrillard: “the artist, i.e.,
the art should experience full liberation.”
Artists’ strike escalated with its merger with the Front for Macedonia.
What is your opinion on this and, after the reactions and threats
addressed to you as “traitor”, including threats about your job
security, are you afraid that they might become reality?
By expressing my position in public, I wanted to advise, to propose a
different tactics which, I thought, would discourage street democracy,
as one is fully aware of what it might bring. My position implied that the
artist should dignifiedly endure in his creativeness, even with small, or no
material means at all. That is the dignity of an artist. Today, when writing
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these answers, I am scared by the street unrest, the dark of periphery,
the violence, the mass where by rule the innocent are hurt; I am afraid
when a Macedonian raises his hand against another Macedonian. I am
scared by the globalization’s lie; I am afraid of nationalistic and religious
bullies; I am afraid of the frequent sound of the ambulance roaming
Skopje streets… I am afraid for our Macedonia and its existence!!
It does not even cross my mind that my future is endangered only because
I publicly expressed my opinion on Facebook, behind which, as I said
earlier, I still stand. Strike is a voluntary act. I think that Mister Branko
Gjorcev, wishing to pull my eyes out, has actually drawn my eyebrows. I
thank him for that!
You said that you are member of VMRO, but also a person with
integrity. After all these reactions, do you think that today a person can
have his integrity and do you think that it is possible for us to go back
to true art, the art that you say smells nice even when it comes from
the greatest “dump”?
Yes, I am member of VMRO-DPMNE from its establishment. I was employed
at MNT only two years ago. I gained my long professional experience as
freelancer. In my career, I have signed my name to more than hundred
professional theatre projects; I have conducted more than 60 interviews
for my magazine, which is currently hibernating. By profession, I am
academic graphic designer, but at the moment I attend Ph.D. studies
at the Faculty of Drama Arts. I hold two Master of Art degrees, one in
designer sciences, and one in art of management and production. Again,
I thank Mister Branko Gjorcev for reminding me how I was employed and
for how long. Just imagine, I have been employed for almost 2 whole
years!
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Finally, you believe in democratic society, but after the recent events
do you think that it does not exist in our country, or it depends on our
attitude towards it?
Today, when we stepped on the threshold where the term “duality” is
erased as such by the Universe, on the threshold towards self-awareness
and collective awareness, on the verge of the Age of Aquarius whose
motto is “Make love, not war”, I believe in God and in democratic society.
I believe in my family and in my homeland Macedonia!
After all, we are all “political beings”, as Aristotle had said.
As for our responsibility, I think that on daily basis art reminds us, the
artists, that we are those who should awake it within us! Well, let’s wake
it then, why not?
We are responsible whether we will euthanize art in a reflex of indifference,
and later ask the super hero – Felix Baumgartner – to leap into the abyss
to save us.
Suncica Unevska
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Slobodan Unkovski – 24TH DECEMBER WAS THE
DRESS REHEARSAL FOR A POSSIBLE CIVIL WAR IN THE
COUNTRY35
I hold nothing but respect for what Meri Georgievska did, and she
articulated it through her artistic credo. There were no reactions from
any other group, myself included, in order to explain the positions.
Independent voices, voices of courage and free thinking must emerge.
In the 21st century, I see Macedonia as I never wanted to see it:
dishevelled, divided and faced with uncertain consequences. In my
opinion, processes that are unveiling would not have positive outcome
any time soon and I fear what might happen next. Last week’s events
were a culmination that might not be final and definite, and we should
all be worried. Steps are needed to unite our national essence, said
Slobodan Unkovski, Macedonian stage director, during his interview for
the TV station 24Vesti (show hosted by Misko Ivanov), the most important
segments of which, in our opinion, are given below.
DIVIDED ESSENCE
In Unkovski’s opinion, much has been done in the past 7-8 years to
divide this essence. The national essence is continuously divided and the
division is further nurtured, so nowadays we have separate coffee bars
for different political party members. People cannot do anything unless
they are members of a given political party. We even aspire towards same
political party marriages!
For Unkovski, events from last Monday (24th December) were the dress
rehearsal for a possible civil war in the country. “The manner in which
the two sides were defined; the presence of the police in full equipment
(and supported by dogs and special police forces); it seemed as if all
sides were waiting for some kind of call... but the main battle was in
the Parliament. This is where we rehearsed the absurdity (question is
whether our country is reliving the theatre of absurdity); we see things
that happened, but are interpreted in different manner, thus creating a
virtual world: a life is being presented, but it has no resemblance to the
35 http://www.globusmagazin.com.mk/default-mk.asp?ItemID=723438BCC16FB747B6F895
DF51E5FB15
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reality! That is the theatre of the absurdity. The agendas, the themes of
the play performed are not published: we can only see that something is
happening in the country, and that the disease has started there.”
Asked if he could direct a play on what the government is doing at the
moment, Unkovski said that he is a man of vivid imagination and can
stage numerous things, but what is going on at the moment is a matter
of shame. “If, at one point, you lose the feeling of shame, then you can
do anything: the government pushes its agenda, even when it has no
procedural grounds to do so, and that is why it has chosen brutality,
because financiers are getting impatient; there is hunger for money,
which ultimately results in the political party’s nervous behaviour. Aware
of the manner in which certain bodies and line ministries operate, I
believe that the state received a blow by somebody unknown or unseen,
and that is why it behaves in excessively nervous manner.
SPONTANEITIES
Analysing the actions of the government, he says that everything that
has happened and that is happening in Macedonia is dictated by the
political party in power. All “spontaneities” are straightforward; this
people’s front (i.e., Front of the People) appeared and now in a period of
only one day it can collect a great mass of people on Facebook. An actor
who is member of VMRO-DPMNE’s Youth Alliance is present at all party
manifestations and today he acts as type of spokesperson for the Front
(Robert Veljanovski). This is sufficient to know who pulls the strings.”
Asked why there is no vanguard and why the artists speak only about the
budget, the stage director said that when the state is the single financier
and when state funds are disbursed as they currently are, one must have
party liaisons and influences, because in such circumstances artists
are concerned with the budget’s adoption. Be that as it may, here we
had a manifestation before the event, i.e., the budget’s non-adoption
had not yet occurred, but a protest was held nonetheless! So far, there
was no strike organized in advance around salaries for the actors, or the
buildings. This leads us to the conclusion that this protest did not serve
them (the artists), but somebody else.
“I was at a rehearsal in the building of the Macedonian National Theatre
(MNT) when the artists’ procession started. I work with top actors; one or
two of them received calls reminding them that they are party members,
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and newly employed young actors were also called. From the letter sent
by the Manager of the Dramski Theatre, Branko Gjorcev, and addressed to
Meri Georgievska, clear is that employment of these people constitutes
some sort of condition for them to return the favour”, said Unkovski. ”Meri
Georgievska is the only person who publicly reacted to this pressure,
although she is in a more complex position than the others, because of
her father. He (Ljubisa Georgievski) held many offices in the ruling party.
I hold nothing but respect for what she did; she explained her motives
in an interview for Utrinski vesnik. She articulated it through her artistic
credo. There were no reactions from any other group, myself included, in
order to explain the positions. Independent voices, voices of courage and
free thinking must emerge.
POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES
Unkovski pointed out that nowadays employment, not only in the
theatre, but elsewhere as well, is made by political party committees.
“There are thousands of examples; people win vacancy competitions for
IT specialists, MDs because of their high education achievement. Then,
overnight, their points are changed because they do not belong where
they should. Quality is not important; institutions are packed with staff
who do not have any qualifications, who do not belong to the milieu
where they are employed.
“In my opinion, matters in the Macedonian theater are dramatically
changing for the worse. In the past, best plays were performed at the
Dramski Theater (under the management of Risto Stefanovski, while
Ljubisa Georgievski directed majority of the plays) and we were visited
by various committees. Directorate for Security and Counterintelligence
even prohibited our plays, but we still managed to stage most of them!
Allegedly that was supposed to be the terrible, oppressive system, and
today’s system should be democratic! Dramski Theater was subjected to
financial and other sanctions, but the theater was not banned and the
fight did not take place on the street, but it was rather an art fight within
the theater, by means of the plays.”
The ministry and the state are slowly defocusing matters in the theater,
they move towards cabarets and the like. Practically, the system has no
interest in live culture, as opposed to some sort of a monument that will
last as long as it does. In the live culture, a play would last from seven
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until ten in the evening, but politics is interested in monumentality,
global change, and new criteria.
PROCESSION
The new generations that would overcome the fear of pressures, fear of
things imposed by the system, and large companies that would donate
to the culture in the name of a different cultural system of values, can
change something in this field. Otherwise, there will be no changes in the
culture and theatre.
We cannot live
in a society
where we should
be united and
spill so much
hate
Asked about his impressions with the “performance” delivered by the
culture managers during the protest, Unkovski said that “those who
read speeches at the protest have given more ‘evidence’ than what they
were requested, looked overly pathetic, unconvincing and delivered
a performance with unacceptable dose of hatred. We cannot live in a
society where we should be united and spill so much hate, replace the
theses and the like. Obvious was that broadcasting of the protest failed
to provide a bird’s eye view in order to catch the entire crowd, to see all
people attending the protest.
“When the procession started, led by five drums, it provided an image
of art’s death. The group was led by several managers, far below the
standards of any national institution. I cannot remember that anything
similar has happened in the world. Theatres have no funds for trivial
needs (such as gasoline, and the like), but they have never protested for
such needs. Nowadays, energy is being spent on something that may be
issued as an order.”
Next, he was asked to share his opinion about the hate speech on
Facebook addressed to Meri Georgievska.
“Meri expressed her opinion and that was inadmissible when artists
are ordered what to do and when such expression of opinion creates
problems in realization of these orders. One gentle, small voice is raised,
but it articulates its own position: that is dramatic and courageous at
the same time. She did not publish her opinion in the newspapers, or
spread it across the headlines, but posted it on Facebook. Such an act is
both different and terrifying. We all saw stones being thrown in front of
the Parliament and heads being hit! Anytime the Prime Minister speaks
about Branko Crvenkovski, hate speech and bloodlust are being created.
It may sound scary, but this is how I call it. So, there will be no peace until
all opponents are destroyed.”
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“Group of Albanian intellectuals was the only one who issued a
declaration and expressed their opinion. Macedonian intellectuals were
nowhere to be seen or heard, with the exception of several columnists
who share their opinion on weekly basis. This is scary. These are not so
light-hearted matters. These are serious matters. The Nazi believed that
the role of German women is to give birth, that propaganda should be
blindly followed, that night-time is ideal for visits and even murder or
slaughter, that the Reichstag should be set on fire… – all for the purpose
of justifying other much worse things that would follow.”
“Macedonia is a fragile creation that must be cherished by all of us.
Reconciliation can take place only if we understand the other side.
The Parliament’s Speaker did not find a way to reconcile the different
positions! My opinion about the city’s look or about other buildings,
including the city’s functioning, landed on deaf ears.”
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Dzvezdan Georgievski
How colleagues insulted Meri Georgievska on
Facebook36
This is the Facebook status published by Meri Georgievska, member
of VMRO-DPMNE and daughter of the famous stage director Ljubisa
Georgievski, which triggered an avalanche of reactions from her
colleagues who organized the protest of artists against the opposition
party. More than 20 hours ago,
Georgievska wrote:
“Art is created by the artists, and not by the buildings!! Since when and
where do artists need a new building in order to create? Beautiful art
can be created in the darkest of places, but a rotten art can become a
pollution hazard even at the state-of-the-art architectural building!!
My dear colleagues, artists, this is blackmail. Art does not tolerate
blackmail.”
Following are the reactions from some of her colleagues:
Jelena Zugic: “Meri, I don’t understand you at all... the theatre buildings
is 90 per cent complete and for the first time we (stage actors) have the
opportunity to perform in a building, and not in temporarily constructed
barracks, while the audience has the opportunity to feel dignified. The
Government has secured funds for this purpose, but certain persons use
the blocking of the budget for gaining petty party points, exactly at times
when investments in culture should SHINE, and here you go writing about
doctorates, crises and modesty...”
Zoran Ljutkov: “Why have you all employed at state institutions, if their
restoration means nothing to you? Why are you the first in line to apply
for work there? Go back to your neighbourhoods and play theatre there. I
will be the first to support you!”
Meri Georgievska: “Zoki, you are performing five offices at the same
time, and you dare to attack the sustenance of a single mother!! I did not
expect this from you.”
Gordana Gjorceva: “Meri, I use the Facebook profile of my spouse,
because I do not have my own. You are not aware whom have you
36 http://www.plusinfo.mk/print/Kako-kolegite-ja-navreduvaa-Meri-Georgievska-na-Fejsbuk
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joined, but I will unmask the players on your left and on your
right. Those are the same people who have persecuted your
father throughout his life and whom he continues to fight
against to this very day. Those are the same people who
utterly humiliated me and Pero Temelkovski when they were
in power. Do not forget how, why and by whom you were
employed. I don’t believe that your employment was due to
your brains, beauty or talent. Please do not reply to this post,
I don’t want to communicate further, I only want to remind
you: people who betray their families, betray themselves…
Branko Gjorcev!!!”
Dejan Loskov: “It is sad that we are not aware of what
is happening in our state! When deeply involved in an
unscrupulous game, nobody can ask for fair rules. In my
opinion, approving the budget that would later be used to
finance the ruling party’s advertising campaigns that devolve
us and to buy votes for the election, overflows my cup…
Otherwise, I agree that the written exchanges here are below
the level of colleagues and intellectuals…“
Gordana Gjorceva: “It is not a matter only of salaries for artists,
but for all budget beneficiaries in the state … Haven’t we all
witnessed what is happening in the Parliament recently... It’s
embarrassing to look at such circus... It’s more than obvious
that something serious is happening, and not only artists,
but many other people are dissatisfied... I will not engage
in a debate about the monuments, advertising campaigns,
streets, roads, etc.... After all, everyone has a legitimate right
to act as they please, but they should not emphasize their
own positions on social networks and indicate that they
have been blackmailed... Let us not fool ourselves, neither
blackmails were used, nor insulting words… I am furious
because certain persons use insults, undeserved by others...
Such disgusting words are pervading everywhere, be it on
Facebook or in the Parliament. When I hear the expressions
used by intellectuals, I am ashamed to say where I live. It’s
sad.”
Written exchanges on Meri Georgievska’s Facebook profile
continue.
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Dzevded Jashari
Artists should be brave and fight for their ideals. They should try to
change society for the better, with their beautiful artwork. Artists should
be eternal opposition, and defy everybody who tries to subdue the
people, rather than be used as their tool. I will continue to work, proudly
and arduously, as only befitting for an artist, hoping that better days
will come. I refuse to be an instrument of our desolate and malicious
politicians, both from the ruling and the opposition party. Therefore, my
dear colleagues, both those of you who keep your pride and those of you
who act as poltroons, are invited tomorrow night to the Albanian Theatre,
at 19.00 hours, to witness my protest against everything that has been
going on these days. Tomorrow’s protest is titled “The Beggar’s Opera”.
(Received by SMS, published on Facebook, on 20th December 2012)
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Toni Mihajlovski – Today, I am ashamed of art
and of my profession!
Were artists those who protested today?!? Most of them were technicians,
cleaning staff and wardrobe assistants, accompanied by several failed
wannabe-artists.
This is what Toni Mihajlovski, an actor, posted on his Facebook profile
on the occasion of today’s protests organized by a group of Macedonian
artists against the opposition and concerning the adoption of the 2013
state budget.
- I have initiated my protest against SDSM back in 1997 (when they were
in power), by presenting them with my letter of resignation. My salary was
twice as lower compared to the salary of the theater’s night guard, which
was a good enough reason for me to resign. I have been protesting all
alone for 16 years now. Although I am VMRO-DPMNE’s member, Branko
and Ljubco both made my life miserable. I was surgically removed from
all theater companies. Today, I am undergoing what VMRO-DPMNE’s
members must have undergone in Yugoslavia. These are things that
Dramski Theater’s “Messiah” had never felt on his skin. Today, I am
ashamed of the art, my profession and of myself. I feel betrayed, played,
sold out and robbed of my emotions, says Mihajlovski.
Jelena Zugik, actress and manager of the Comedy Theatre, followed-up
with a comment on his status.
- Thank you my colleague, if I can still call you that, because we have
not shared the stage for years now. I am on the stage performing every
night and thus guarantee the salary for many people from my ensemble.
Some roles are good, others are better, but I am not part of the theater’s
cleaning staff. I attended today’s protest as an actor! Sometimes it is
much easier to quit than to stay and make all efforts possible to maintain
the theatre art in Macedonia, wrote Zugik.
Toni Mihajlovski replied.
- Indeed, it is easier Jelena… I sleep peacefully, although I am jobless
and wageless. I have no money, but that is the least of my concerns. I do
not know when I will take the stage next. I am sure that you are in a more
difficult situation than mine. Freedom is an expensive luxury, Jelena,
wrote Mihajlovski.
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Photo: Even the ballet dancer are called to protest
against SDU37
As we already informed, after a series of protests against the opposition organized by people
who present themselves as social welfare beneficiaries, farmers, pensioners, the protest
of artists is announced to take place tomorrow (21.12.2012, Friday). The photograph we
received shows the notification of the Ballet Administration at the Macedonian Opera and
Ballet, which reads that tomorrow the ballet will not work, while the staff and employees
under fixed term contract are called to protest in front of the Macedonian National Theatre
– Theatre Centre.
Artists employed at Macedonian Philharmonics, Macedonian Opera and Ballet, Macedonian
National Theatre, National Ensemble “Tanec”, Drama Theatre, Comedy Theatre, Theatre
for Children and Youth, Theatre – Ohrid, Theatre – Bitola and Theatre – Veles announced
their presence at the protests against the opposition and concerning the budget adoption
deadlock.
The protest will start in front of the Macedonian National Theatre – Theatre Centre and
will continue towards the building of the “Old Theatre” where at 12:00 hours the “Artists’
Manifesto” will be read. The protest will end in front of the new building for the Macedonian
Philharmonics.
37 http://goo.gl/E8VxZ
[photograph]
Notification
All employees at the
ballet administration
(under permanent
and fixed term
contract) are
hereby informed
that tomorrow on
21.12.2012 (Friday)
regular practices and
rehearsals will not be
held, and are called
to gather in front
of the Macedonian
National Theatre –
Theatre Centre on the
peaceful protest at
10:45 hours.
Ballet Administration
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БЛАЦК МОНДАЅ
24 тх Децембер 2012
БЛАЦК МОНДАЅ
24 тх Децембер 2012