Skopje, 15 September 2024 (MIA) - The Association of Local Self-Government Units (ZELS) will work on amendments to the Law on Local Self-Government to introduce a mechanism for a change of mayor. The power of mayors is too great, and it should be limited, said the head of ZELS and Mayor of the Municipality of Kisela Voda, Orce Gjorgjievski, in an interview for Radio Free Europe.

“The issue is currently most pronounced in Skopje. Tomorrow it can be in some other municipality in Skopje. It mustn’t be allowed for one person to hold an entire city or a municipality hostage due to reasons they believe are understandable or a certain frustration. The mayors, starting from me, with the existing laws on local self-government are untouchable, overprotected,” Gjorgjievski said.

The Kisela Voda Mayor stressed that currently mayors can only be replaced at elections, adding that their power should be limited.

“Then the mayors will know that their terms will begin but won’t necessarily last until the end of the term, and in this case, it would be logical for them to start thinking about realizing projects. We have had mayors who spent their entire four-year terms in hibernation and there was no punishment, the sole punishment was the result of the elections. We must introduce a mechanism that can lead to responsibility earlier. I am not only talking about criminal responsibility, but a way to regulate their work or lack thereof,” Gjorgjievski said.  

Asked if he will be the next Mayor of Skopje, Gjorgjievski said this depends on many factors, but noted that he would be a good mayor of the country’s capital.

“My current priority is to realize all projects that I’ve promised to my compatriots, and de facto most of them, over 90%, have been realized. It is logical and normal for every person to have ambition, especially in politics, to do something and leave results behind. If the citizens believe that I am leading the municipality well, if the bodies of our political party [VMRO-DPMNE], the Central Committee, the Executive Committee and of course the party leader decide that, then I think I would be a good Mayor of Skopje. I don’t fear work and I think I can contribute a lot for Skopje,” said the Kisela Voda Mayor. 

Photo: Screenshot