The Prime Minister's Threats and Responsibilities for the Tragedy

The tragedy of the discotheque fire in Kocani, where 60 people lost their lives, has shocked the entire society of North Macedonia and beyond.

From the very beginning, public reactions were driven by politics. North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, commenting on the press conference of DUI deputy leader Arbër Ademi, said: “There is no place for politics in this matter. You will all answer, and there will be no mercy.”

Mickoski was worried why Ademi held the conference at midnight. If he had been asleep, there would have been no problem.

However, when we talk about such grave tragedies, the need to find the culprit seems to be mixed with efforts to attract attention. And therein lies the crux of the problem: turning every human disaster into a political debate, forgetting questions about responsibility and preventive measures.

There are some simple questions that are not being answered:

Do security structures have responsibilities?

Who was responsible for checking the technical conditions and security protocols at the disco? Maybe DUI?

Were inspections carried out regularly? Were the necessary documents for emergency services completed?

How did the local fire department respond? Did they have enough resources?

Which state institutions were responsible for ensuring the lives of citizens in public spaces? Or is DUI responsible?

In recent statements, Prime Minister Mickoski warned that “there will be no tolerance” for those who ‘play the ethnic card’. This means that, instead of a proper investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy, the “ethnic card” is being discussed.

Neglecting in-depth technical and institutional analysis, limiting oneself to apportioning blame is nothing more than a mockery of the public.

Without a full disclosure, we are likely to see a similar tragedy in the future.

And last but not least: Instead of remembering the lives lost and supporting their families, attention turns to mutual accusations.

What urgently needs to happen is an independent investigative process, where professional investigators/prosecutors have full institutional support and public transparency. This tragedy must become a turning point in the way issues of safety and standards of public spaces are addressed. Only in this way can public opinion see that responsibility is carried out with dignity and justice.

Harsh statements are expected in cases of major tragedies, but it is worth remembering that when everything becomes political, we risk neglecting what is essential: the lives lost and state and institutional responsibility. It is not the opposition that governs the country!