VALLETTA, Malta (AP) 28 April 2017 — The European Union has condemned the violence that swept Macedonia’s parliament and said that the cornerstones of democracy should be respected.
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said Friday that “violence is unacceptable, even more so when it happens in the house of democracy.”
People react as a stun grenade explodes by a parliament entrance, guarded by police, during clashes with protesters in Skopje, Macedonia, Thursday, April 27, 2017.
On Thursday, demonstrators stormed the legislature and attacked lawmakers to protest the election of a new speaker despite a months-old deadlock in efforts to form a new government.
Clashes over several hours injured 77 people, including 22 police officers and several lawmakers, authorities said.
Protestors clash with police to enter into the parliament building in Skopje, Macedonia, Thursday, April 27, 2017.
Mogherini, attending a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Malta, called the incident a “serious crisis that can be dangerous.”
A police officer helps an injured protester during clashes in front of the parliament building in Skopje, Macedonia, Thursday, April 27, 2017.
