Macedonia Newspaper

(1) Macedonia Closes Borders Against Influx of Refugees

Photograph: Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters
(theguardian.com)

The Macedonia roadway system has served as a transit route for more than 500,000 refugees since August, 2015. Refugees have utilized these courses to access the Balkan trails and rest in these stopovers to seek a helping hand from Western Europe. However, Macedonia’s recent implementations to forcibly close their borders incited protests from the Greek officials and the mass inundation of refugees. These objections involve the refugees crossing the joint border with Greece in defiant provocation of Macedonia’s hostility and desperation to leave the pervading disease in northern Greece’s makeshift camps. Macedonia’s security officers reacted accordingly with forced repudiations and confrontations. To date, thousands of refugees remain stranded in the disease-ridden towns as the European Union continues to strive for efficient relocation and the provision of safe-routes for war-torn refugees.

(2) Internal Turmoil and Outrage: Prospective EU Membership?

Macedonia's recent political and economic crisis have incited feverish speculations of European Union (EU) membership and further interior conflict. The numerous provocations from paramilitary forces have killed dozens of security officers and citizens to date. Western forces are questioning the capabilities of Macedonia in consideration for EU Membership; government leaders have been unproductive in stemming protests and oppositions from various ethnicities and parties. Analysts say that these social phenomenons do not pose a positive outlook for Europe; talks to install peace and halt the escalation in tensions have failed in a multitude of trials. “The EU has got to take a stand on what’s happening in Skopje. This scandal has been going on for far too long and the government has not been transparent enough about anything,” said Judy Dempsey, senior associate at Carnegie Europe. It is imperative for the governing body and the collective citizens to act in accordance and collaboration to ensure stability and prosperity to the country.

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(3) EU-Brokered Parliamentary Elections To Face Imminent Boycott

The global community's constant emphasis on the well-being of Macedonia continues to showcase through their speculation of the country's government. Its political status has been unstable for decades, escalating last February when opposition parties confirmed the prime minister’s corrupted lead. Despite how the European Union (EU) and the United States initiated a set of parliamentary elections to be held on April 24, 2016, arising objections forced the prospective transition to be executed in June. The EU and the US formerly subjected an assessment of how this election is to wipe the slate clean of the biased electoral roll and institute media reforms in which the government has influenced so greatly. However, the primary opposition group issued declarations on boycotting the elections: "In the name of democracy, the SDSM (Social Democratic Union) will not take part in these fake elections," [the leader of the SDSM] told reporters. "We call on all citizens, students, farmers and people of all ethnicities and religions to stand (together) in defence of democracy." They are unhappy with the Macedonian government’s alleged illegal surveillance of citizens, meddling with the media and justice court, and corruption in elections and employment directions. This spurn compromises the delicate parliamentary democracy in Macedonia and further contributes to the political deadlock and stagnation in the country.

article by: Sunni Lin