SkopjeDiem Macedonia in English
The investigation into the Kocani fire has been selective and therefore should be expanded to cover current officials of the Government, according to SDSM.
The opposition party said on Saturday that the selectiveness would be one of the topics at the leaders’ meeting its leader, Venko Filipce, was demanding. Filipce will present details regarding the meeting matter next week, SDSM underlined.
“If the current government really wants to show that it is carrying out the investigation right and if it wants to truly change the system through that investigation, it should demonstrate, too, that that is so. This time, we’re seeing that doubt is being cast only on past officials that are convicted in advance, labelled by first and last name, without the presumption of innocence being taken into account. However, as SDSM has said so far, everyone who broke the law needs to be held to account”, Spokesperson Bogdanka Kuzeska noted.
SDSM also stated that the Government should abolish the tender worth around 400,000 euros for polls and measuring PM Hristijan Mickoski’s rating, urging it to instead donate the funds to those impacted by the Kocani fire.
In response, VMRO-DPMNE refused the allegations about the investigations over the Kocani fire. Regarding the tender, it said SDSM, too, during its rule had spent the identical amount of money for the same purposes.
“Obviously, it did so to satisfy its own interests, not to see the real picture of its policies. Those are not polls to measure the rating, but rather public opinion research and checking whether the people accepts projects and reforms”, the ruling party noted.
When it comes to DUI, it has adhered to its stand that a committee of inquiry is needed to look into the Kocani fire investigation. Ali Ahmeti’s party has already sent a letter to the CoE asking for an independent expert mission regarding the investigation, a PACE debate, and an opinion from the Venice Commission.
VMRO-DPMNE, in response, however, stated that neither an international investigation nor the ICJ court would save DUI from accountability for crimes committed by it in the past.
The Government, regarding Filipce’s position that there should be a leaders’ meeting, said that it was open to any proposal and initiative that aimed to help with the investigation.
