LSDM proposes reallocating 5 million euros from independence celebrations to clean water supply

Jon Frçkoski, a member of the Executive Board of LSDM, warned that drinking water has become unusable in seven populated centers in Macedonia. These are Gostivar, Vallandova, Krusheva, Pllasnica, Prilep, Leshka, and Preglova, while the question arises as to which locality will be affected next.

Frçkoski stressed that since the Studençica spring also supplies Kërçova, Makedonski Brod, and Dollnen, there is a possibility that these areas may also face water contamination. He accused Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski of inaugurating swimming pools while in those seven settlements the water is undrinkable and white foam is flowing through the Lepenec and Vardar rivers. According to him, the pollution has also reached Skopje, endangering citizens’ health, which he described as a complete institutional failure under the leadership of Mickoski and VMRO-DPMNE.

“Mickoski is poisoning Macedonia. Literally,” Frçkoski declared, adding that in such a situation, with entire towns affected and potential infection risks, it is unacceptable to allocate 5 million euros for independence celebrations with expensive performers.

He considered spending this amount on singers and entertainment as unpatriotic, arguing that the most meaningful gesture for Independence Day would be to guarantee safe water for the population. LSDM demands that these funds be reallocated to build water treatment plants, filtration stations, reservoirs, renovate the water supply network, and new installations.

Frçkoski proposed a more modest celebration for the 35th anniversary of independence, where citizens would not be at risk from polluted water when they turn on their taps at home. He revealed that Mickoski’s government had kept the cost of the celebrations secret, but the Anti-Corruption Commission (AKT) brought it to light today. According to him, at the 167th session held on April 28, 2026, the executive instructed the State Lottery to provide 300 million denars, approximately 5 million euros, from the undistributed dividend for 2024, to finance the festive activities.

He concluded by saying that the people of Macedonia cannot continue to be poisoned while someone pockets millions through commissions. According to him, water, wages, and pensions cannot be lacking while 5 million euros go to celebrations. His closing appeal was that this money be redirected to provide people with clean and healthy water.