The Levica party is demanding accountability and immediate action following another incident involving radioactive ash released by REK Bitola, citing political inaction and corruption as the root causes of ongoing environmental damage in North Macedonia. The party asserts that both VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM governments have failed to hold major polluters accountable, leading to a cycle of impunity that endangers public health and the environment.

Levica highlights a similar incident from 2019 for which charges were filed, yet no significant changes have been implemented, demonstrating the ineffectiveness of environmental justice in the country. The party warns of long-term consequences from the toxic ash, including soil and water contamination, damage to agriculture in Pelagonija, and permanent health risks for the regional population.

Levica is specifically calling for the immediate resignation of REK Bitola’s director, Toni Petrushevski, accusing him of being a political appointee of Prime Minister Mickoski and directly responsible for the environmental damage. They claim the appointment of unqualified party members to key positions has contributed to ecological disasters, referencing the recent incident at the Toranica mine as another example.

In addition to Petrushevski’s resignation, Levica demands a public, effective, and transparent judicial procedure, accountability from all management levels at REK Bitola, a review of current environmental standards, and the implementation of real measures to address the damage caused.