25th Anniversary of Independence

8 th September is the newestof Macedonian national holidays. It was on this date that the independence referendum was held in 1991. Then more than 95% of the voters answered “yes” to “Independent Macedonia with the right to enter in future alliances with other Yugoslav states”. The Referendum Commission did not receive any complaints about irregularities or violations.

The outcome of the referendum was supported by the majority of Macedonian politicians. The Prime Minister at the time, Nikola Kljusev, said that the referendum was “the continuation of centuries-long struggle of the Macedonian people”, stressing that it is up to the people to decide what kind of future state would develop, “without servant mentality and inferiority towards the rest of the exYugoslav peoples”. Congratulations on the referendum came from many countries. The United States praised the moderate way and the sense of compromise in which the independence had been proclaimed.

After the referendum, the National Radio organized a celebration in response to the enthusiasm of the citizens who had already gathered in Skopje’s main square. Kiro Gligorov, who went on to became president of Macedonia, greeted all the free independent citizens who had become the sovereigns of Macedonia. Read more …