Air Pollution Grips Macedonian Capital

The Democratic Renewal of Macedonia, DOM party - the country's green political force - has accused the authorities of not doing enough to curb the dangerous air pollution in Skopje and other major towns.

DOM said that the free bus transport that the Skopje authorities launched on Tuesday, in an attempt to reduce car journeys and therefore pollution, was insufficient to deal with the crisis.

"Bearing in mind that the air pollution is affecting all larger Macedonian towns, DOM insists that the government should declare a state of emergency," the party said.

Since the start of winter, when air pollution usually reaches its peak, the greens have been demanding a no-vehicle zone in central Skopje, the temporary closure of all construction sites, the banning of vehicles that do not satisfy the Euro 4 emissions standard, as well as lower electricity prices to encourage households to stop using fossil fuels and wood for heat.

The greens have also demanded a system in which cars with odd and even numbers on their plates are allowed to be used on alternate days to reduce pollution.

But Skopje mayor Koce Trajanovski said he could not act without parliamentary approval.

"We can't do this alone. For that we need a functional parliament that would vote for such a law," Trajanovski told media at a press conference on Monday.

Macedonia has had no government since early elections on December 11 as talks on forming an administration continue.

For several years, air pollution levels in Skopje, but also in the towns of Bitola, Kicevo, Tetovo Kumanovo and Kavadarci, have reached record highs in the winter months.

Particularly problematic is the high level of PM10 particles, small breathable specks that are considered...