SDSM: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on vacation, did not visit Gostivar amid epidemic

The Social Democratic Union (SDSM) accused Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on August 12, 2026, of leaving for vacation while failing to visit Gostivar after the outbreak of a water-related epidemic.

SDSM said residents of Gostivar have been affected for five weeks by unsafe drinking water, forcing people to stand in lines for bottled water. The party highlighted that children, the elderly and the sick are facing a basic shortage: clean water.

Party describes hospital transfers and staff shortages

SDSM warned that the local hospital has been contaminated and patients were transferred to another town. They added there is an outbreak of jaundice and a shortage of doctors and medical technicians, and accused the prime minister of not appearing in Gostivar during the five weeks since the epidemic began.

"The hospital is poisoned as well, patients have been transferred to another town. There is an epidemic of jaundice, there are no doctors and medical technicians. In those five weeks Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski did not appear even once in Gostivar. Not only did he not come. He went on his annual vacation.

While citizens drink water from bottles and wait for the poisoning to stop, the prime minister is on vacation and attacks his own public. This is the attitude of this government toward people. When there is a ribbon to cut — they come. When there is a crisis that affects ordinary citizens — they disappear and attack," SDSM said.

SDSM's statement frames the government's response as selective, present for ceremonial openings but absent in crises affecting ordinary residents. The party's charges come amid a continuing public health concern in Gostivar.

Photo: press material from the event