Citizens of North Macedonia ahead of elections: We don’t trust anyone anymore, but we hope things will get better

Ahead of the local elections in North Macedonia, citizens are divided between indifference and optimism. While some expect no change from the vote, others told Kosovo Online they hope new mayors will restore order and improve living conditions.

“Just like in the previous elections,” one Skopje resident said when asked what he expects, adding that he hopes the new mayor will be “more engaged and calm people down.”

“There should be fewer new buildings and more parks and greenery. That is what we need,” he said.

Another Skopje resident admitted she no longer follows political developments and has lost interest in elections.

“I don’t follow anything anymore, I’m not familiar with the elections. I don’t even know why,” she said briefly.

A third woman from Skopje was much harsher, saying that nothing changes in politics.

“I have no expectations. Everyone who’s been in power lies and steals, nothing else,” she said.

Still, she admitted she hopes the new mayor could bring about change.

“Danela ruined us. The biggest battle the new mayor will have to fight is with city traffic. Cleanliness in this city is zero. Money is being siphoned off, people are paying and we don’t even know what for,” she said, adding she is disappointed in all political parties:

“They all make promises, but none of them deliver. It’s a disaster. People are deeply disappointed, but they still go to vote. I’m going to vote too, just so no one else uses my vote. Otherwise, I wouldn’t vote for anyone. I’m not satisfied with anyone, neither VMRO nor SDSM.”

She expressed anger that politicians have divided the people.

“I live among Albanians, a cultured people, but even so, the divisions are huge. Dissatisfaction is enormous, and usually only those employed through party connections vote, they gather 15 others and bus them to polling stations. There is so much frustration. You can’t even tell what’s what anymore. You go out on the street and you’re afraid to move. Every night I ask myself why the police don’t punish those who recklessly race their motorcycles from one end of the street to the other after midnight,” she said.

Still, there are citizens who believe in change.

“I expect the elections to be fair and democratic for some, and unfair and undemocratic for others, like every election in Macedonia,” one Skopje resident said, adding that “things can’t get any worse.”

“I hope we will have a better mayor and that things will be better than they are today,” he concluded.