Skopje, 12 October 2025 (MIA) — VMRO-DPMNE's Skopje mayoral candidate Orce Gjorgjievski has announced his plans to undertake the long-promised reconstruction of the city's Luna Amusement Park and to renovate the Skopje Zoo.

"When talking about Skopje's future, I always start with my three basic priorities: renovating infrastructure, improving hygiene, and reforming public transit," Gjorgjievski told a news conference Sunday. 

"Without clean streets, orderly traffic and a functional system, there is no modern city. But neither is there a vibrant city without joy, culture and places where our children can grow up smiling," he said.

Recalling "two venues that unfortunately belong only to the beautiful memories of all Skopje residents, the amusement park and the zoo," Gjorgjievski said that "generations of children grew up without an amusement park and without a real, modern zoo." 

"We cannot allow these to be just memories of the past," Gjorgjievski said. "This is why I want to announce that after many years of procrastination and empty promises, we will begin the urgent construction of a new, modern amusement park, intended for all generations."

He said the planned amusement park would be built in line with European safety standards and offer roller coasters, water slides, interactive games and virtual reality zones. 

He also said it would be accessible to people with disabilities and have video surveillance as well as first aid stations.

In parallel, he said, his team would begin the complete renovation of the Skopje Zoo, improving the animals' living conditions, the employees' working conditions and the visitors' experience. He said the animal enclosures would be renovated in line with European standards, as well.

"Restoring the Luna Park and the Skopje Zoo is not a luxury but an investment in healthy childhood," Gjorgjievski said.

In response to a reporter's question, he said the amusement park should be open to the public by June 2027. mr/