2017 storming of the Macedonian Parliament

In the years prior to the event, the Republic of Macedonia had been involved in political turmoil, culminating in mass anti-government protests in 2015 and 2016. These protests were the result of corruption allegations, which were the main cause of the Republic of Macedonia's political crisis, against VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski and his coalition partners.[8] They were further accused of preventing the formation of a new government, following the parliamentary election in 2016, in order to avoid losing power and facing prosecution for corruption.[8]

The conflict also had ethnic undertones, as the reason no coalition government had been formed was due to the demand for the Albanian language to be the second official language in the Republic of Macedonia, and due to attempts by opposition leader Zoran Zaev to form a coalition government with Albanian ethnic parties.[6] There had been daily protests across the country by supporters of the VMRO-DPMNE party in response to this.[1] The Republic of Macedonia had seen mass ethnic violence in the previous years, particularly in 2001 and 2012.

Gruevski called for protests on 26 February with the words "all those who plan to sit at home and to watch TV believing that someone else will do their job to protect their country, are mistaken”, against the formation of a new coalition government. The protests began on 27 February, organized by the Macedonian nationalist association For a United Macedonia (claimed to be a proxy of VMRO-DPMNE), under the same slogan.[9][10] Anti-Albanian slogans were heard during the protests.[11] At the same time, around 20+ organizations named as "patriotic associations" were founded, which announced that they would use all kinds of violent and non-violent means to prevent "attempts to destroy the Republic of Macedonia".[12] A rally held in Skopje was attended by prominent members and supporters of VMRO-DPMNE, as well as by heads of various state enterprises.[13] Protesters were waving flags and placards reading ‘Freedom or Death’. Two journalists were attacked during the rally. Protests were held in other Macedonian cities as well.

The storming of the Parliament began at 7:00 p.m.[14] After the end of the parliamentary session at 6:00 p.m which was chaired by the president from the previous parliamentary composition Trajko Veljanoski, the deputies from the parliamentary majority remained in the plenary hall to elect a new parliament president.[15] Talat Xhaferi from the Democratic Union for Integration was elected as the new Speaker of the Assembly during the session. During the inauguration of Xhaferi, MPs from VMRO-DPMNE shouted that it was a "coup".[16]

Around 200 protesters, from "For a United Macedonia", stormed the parliament building after Xhaferi was elected speaker. They were protesting in front of the building prior to the storming. Many were masked and they threw chairs and punches at journalists and MPs, injuring SDSM leader Zoran Zaev and fellow MPs.[6] Radmila Šekerinska, deputy head of the SDSM, required stitches after being dragged by her hair.[8] MP from Alliance for the Albanians Ziadin Sela was severely attacked by several demonstrators, some of who dragged him on the floor and kicked him, while he was unconscious and covered in blood.[17]

The demonstrators faced little opposition from the outnumbered police stationed at the Parliament. The initially overwhelmed police responded later. Police had to deploy stun grenades to break up the mob.[1] The demonstrators were expelled from the parliament building, while the lawmakers and journalists trapped inside the building were evacuated.

The attack on the Parliament was strongly condemned by the international community. The violence was condemned by the European Union and NATO, who also greeted the election of Xhaferi as the new parliament speaker.[18][19]

SDSM accused VMRO-DPMNE of inciting violence and causing "hatred and division" among Macedonians. In a press conference, Zoran Zaev described the events as “attempted murder,” done with the consent of former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and the country’s former President Gjorge Ivanov.

Minister of Interior Agim Nuhiu condemned the attack on the Parliament and stated that the "persons in authority of the Ministry who are responsible for yesterday's events will be held accountable". He also stated that the Director of the Bureau of Public Security, Mitko Čavkov, had deliberately hindered police intervention, as well as that during the attack, Čavkov hadn’t been available on his phone for two hours.[20]

A spokesman for the Democratic Union for Integration called the outbreak of violence "a sad day for Macedonia".

A spokesman for the human rights organization Council of Europe said the incident was “alarming”, while Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed concern over the “really dramatic” situation.[21] Albania’s Foreign Ministry also said it was monitoring the "escalation" of violence in its neighbor, which it said was "unacceptable."[22]

After the attack, on 30 April 15 people were already charged for "participation in a mob and preventing officials from performing their duties." On 2 May, Talat Xhaferi was blocked from entering his office by VMRO-DPMNE MPs until the next day, who considered his election invalid.[23] Nationalist protests continued in the beginning of May.[24] On 3 May, Interior Minister Nuhiu requested for the dismissal of Mitko Čavkov from the position of Director of the Bureau of Public Security.[25] Additional people were charged, arrested and questioned regarding the events of 27 April. Video footage from security cameras inside the Parliament had captured VMRO-DPMNE MPs opening the doors and directing the assailants to the room where the MPs from the opposition and the journalists were.[26] The Social-Democrat led-coalition government was also elected on 31 May, after much delay.[27] After the resignation of Interior Minister Nuhiu, Oliver Spasovski took over the position on 1 June, under whom the investigation continued.

• List of attacks on legislatures