In Pictures

Macedonians take on government in massive protest

More than 20,000 Macedonians protested against the government in the largest demonstration of the Colourful Revolution.

Protesters gather in front of the Special Prosecutor's office, where demonstrations start in Skopje. [Lazar Simeonov/Al Jazeera]

22 Jun 2016

Skopje, Macedonia – For more than two months, thousands of demonstrators have flooded the streets of the Macedonian capital, Skopje, almost daily.

In what has been referred to as the “Colourful Revolution”, Macedonians are protesting against the government, corruption and a major wiretapping scandal in which the opposition accuses the government of surveilling more than 20,000 people.

The protests were sparked in early April, when President Gjorge Ivanov issued pardons to 56 politicians and businessmen, most of them connected to the ruling party, the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation – Democratic Party for Macedonian Unity (VMRO-DPMNE).

Under pressure as the Colourful Revolution gained steam and European Union and NATO – both of which Macedonia aspires to join – voiced objections, Ivanov revoked the pardons earlier this month.

On Monday, more than 20,000 Macedonians came out for the largest protest since the movement was launched more than two months ago.

Colourful Revolution supporters have called for the government to resign and politicians, among them former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, to be put on trial for the crimes they accuse them of committing.