North Macedonia’s political leaders gathered on Monday for a televised telethon, calling for unity and support in the wake of a deadly fire that swept through an illegal nightclub in Kočani on March 16, killing multiple people.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi, opposition figures, and other officials expressed condolences and pledged assistance to affected families during the event, aired on Kanal 5 TV.
“Some of the injured are being discharged from hospitals in Skopje and returning from abroad,” Mickoski said. “We will prioritize the economic and social recovery of Kočani.”
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, visibly emotional during the broadcast, thanked citizens for their solidarity and urged systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
“We must end improvisation and build standards. We should not react post-factum but prepare in advance,” she said. “This is a national trauma, and I deeply regret that it happened during my mandate.”
Opposition Calls for Reform
Venko Filipche, leader of the opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), announced plans to convene a meeting of party leaders next week to propose judicial and administrative reforms.
“Conventional political approaches are failing,” Filipche said. “We must act decisively on justice, healthcare, education, and anti-corruption efforts.”
He stressed the importance of opening EU accession talks, arguing that corruption stems from poverty. “Without progress toward the EU, we cannot defeat corruption or improve living standards.”
The tragedy has intensified public discontent, raising the prospect of mass protests against the government. Critics cite the nightclub fire as evidence of regulatory failures and demand accountability.
The government has pledged investigations and policy changes, but opposition leaders say more decisive action is needed to prevent further disasters.