Snopçe seeks clarification on when the remaining names from former Yugoslavia will be changed

After 36 years of independence, why do some places still have streets bearing names from the former Yugoslav period? Halil Snopçe of the Alliance for Albanians (ASH) raised this issue during the parliamentary question session, stressing that in many municipalities names from the Yugoslav system continue to be preserved and glorified. He addressed the prime minister with the question of whether measures are being taken to rename these streets and several facilities of social importance.

Snopçe said that in his city, the main street linking the center with the main boulevard still bears the name YPA (Yugoslav People’s Army), while there are many other similar cases. According to him, the Government should have a strategy or a concrete plan for the de-Yugoslavization of public space, as well as for reviewing the names of streets and public institutions that continue to carry symbols inherited from the previous Yugoslav system.

Prime Minister Mickoski replied that he is committed to ensuring that public spaces are named in line with today’s reality. He said he is not a Yugo-nostalgic and has no intention of being one, but underlined that the Government is also focused on other, more important problems, adding that a solution will be found for this issue.

Mickoski also announced that discussions had been held with coalition partners for streets without numbers, specifically those without names, to be given the names of people, personalities or events from the past that reflect the centuries-long struggle of the Macedonian people and the citizens of Macedonia for an independent Macedonia. He added that the multiethnic character would simultaneously be reflected in several municipalities where this reality exists.