Skopje, 30 January 2025 (MIA) - Opposition lawmakers from SDSM and Levica have initiated the scheduling of an oversight hearing in the Parliament over measures and activities to be undertaken towards improving the situation with air pollution in the country.

SDSM MP Oliver Spasovski said the initiative results from the devastating air quality data, the intention being to discuss the issue that concerns all citizens and one that all lawmakers should unite around.

"Protecting the environment as a fundamental value guaranteed by the Constitution concerns us both individually and collectively. MPs are responsible to discuss and find solutions together," said Spasovski.

He added that the hearing would answer many questions and open the floor for expert discussions in the subject matter, including all stakeholders in the field.

"We must set the bar higher, unite around certain issues and find the answers together. The environment topic does not know politics, clean air cannot be a privilege but a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution," noted Spasovski.

Levica MP Borislav Krmov said the initiative represented a positive precedent.

"The right to clean air is a fundamental value but we are seeing this is not the case in Skopje but in other cities as well - Bitola, Strumica, Tetovo, Ohrid, Kavadarci, Kichevo - all setting air pollution records during the winter period," said Krmov.

He said that according to recent statistics, 18 percent of the population's mortality is due to air pollution, with one in nine babies in the country dying because of polluted air.

"Article 43 of the Constitution protects the right to clean air, we have laws in place, many international resolutions and declarations have been ratified, but to no avail if they are not implemented," said Krmov.

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