Siljanovska-Davkova on Tetovo street renaming: It will be resolved in civic, inclusive way
Tetovo, 24 July 2025 (MIA) - During a visit to the Tetovo municipality Thursday evening, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova met with Mayor Bilal Kasami and commented on the street renaming issue in response to a question from MIA. She noted that she had received a letter on the subject and had committed to discussing it with the mayor.
"I am confident that by inviting me to such an event, there is also understanding of the concerns that have been brought to my attention, and I believe the matter will be resolved in the right way, in a civic, inclusive, and consensual manner. We always say that the so-called double majority, the Badinter majority, applies equally at both central and local levels, and that no one can or should be excluded when decisions are made on matters directly affecting identity, and thus the integrity of all people," President Siljanovska-Davkova said.
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said her visit to Tetovo aimed to show that she represents not only the citizens of Skopje, but all citizens, regardless of background.
“I also want to show that I am willing to go to places where the mayors are not of Macedonian ethnicity, because that should not matter in a civic society. The challenges are the same and affect everyone equally, and we should behave accordingly,” she stated.
Tetovo Mayor Bilal Kasami said that he shares the same position as the President.
“This is about naming streets, squares, and bridges, a process that is both inclusive and transparent. Every citizen of Tetovo should be part of that process, which is very important to us. Every citizen should have an apartment or house with a number and a street name. We want to show that Tetovo is a European city, where people live in modern, urbanized conditions and everyone has an address where institutions and friends can reach them, just like in any other European city,” Kasami stated.
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Kasami later attended the Macedonian music evening at the square, part of the Tetovo Cultural Summer programme.
Photo: MIA
