Skopje, 28 October 2025 (MIA) - Amar Mecinovikj, the Levica candidate for mayor of Skopje, criticized late Tuesday the current city administration and what he called the “campaign-style cleaning” of Skopje. Mecinovikj rejected allegations of cooperation with DUI and called for political change, emphasizing that a clean Skopje requires political will. He encouraged Skopje residents to go out and vote on Sunday, saying, “take your destiny into your own hands.”

“I received 30,000 votes from the people of Skopje, and I don’t have lists like you to know who voted for me. You have cooperation with Merko in Struga, I don’t. I defeated Shukova by 2,000 votes in Aerodrom, surely DUI did not vote for me,” Mecinovikj said during the Kanal 5 TV debate with VMRO-DPMNE mayoral candidate Orce Gjorgjievski.

Mecinovikj accused Gjorgjievski of hypocrisy regarding urban planning issues.

“You talk about illegal constructions, yet you pose for photos with the king of illegal buildings, Izet Mexhiti. Your Prime Minister says that your vision is not to demolish illegal buildings but to build. You claim it’s not your responsibility to clean garbage, yet it is your responsibility to open the Skopje Marathon,” he said.

Regarding public hygiene, Mecinovikj stated that the solution for a clean Skopje is political will, not shifting the blame onto citizens.

“Pollution, household talks, enough is enough. We must stop pointing fingers at households and the poor,” he said.

In his closing message, Mecinovikj called for change and encouraged citizens to go out and vote.

“This is a historic opportunity. Until now, we have fought against political parties that have all the privileges on their side, they have the power and the institutions, but we have love for our city. I believe we must stop voting as we have until now, because the results are predictable, especially for our generation, which cannot afford to live in these conditions for another 30–40 years. On November 2, we must take our destiny into our own hands. With one courageous step, which will bring a change to the political situation in Macedonia, we can secure the city we want to live in,” he said.

Photo: MIA archive