The distribution of electricity in Macedonia was a victim of the neo-liberal politics of the so called Socialdemocrats several years ago. The national distribution company was sold to the austrian giant EVN, and since than a brutal politics on pay off was imposed. The prices of electricity went above the ceiling as well – a poor country like Macedonia has one of the highest electricity price rates in Europe.

Now, households that can not afford to pay are getting shut down by the officers of EVN.

On Wednesday, 17 December, around 18.30, a spontaneous riot occurred in the small and poor town of Kochani, Macedonia because of the massive shut downs. A group of 200 people, later joined by approximately that more, first succeeded in beating up the police forces that secured the transformer station. In the attack, the transformer station was damaged which caused break of electricity supply. Afterward the group directed towards the local headquarters of the electric supplier [Austrian EVN] and started throwing stones at the building.

A reaction of the police followed, in which six protesters were detained. Four cops were injured.

This is just the beginning. In other impoverished regions of Macedonia, whole villages are staying with no electricity because of the debts. There are countless other social problems which the people in Macedonia face.