Teams of CIVIL – Center for Freedom yesterday monitored the Referendum in Gevgelia. In addition to the monitoring of the voting, we spoke with citizens from Gevgelia about their views in regards to the building of the mine and the environmental problems that the city faces.

Without an exception, all those who were surveyed said they were against the construction of the mine, which actually was confirmed with the early results of yesterday’s Referendum.

Some of the citizens were confused by the question, and were further clarifying between themselves whether they were for or against, while some of them say that the Referendum is an excellent way to see the will of the people.

As to the question what is the biggest environmental problem Gevgelia has faced until now, the citizens point out the water pollution.

“The water is a major problem. Many people buy bottled water. We are also one of them!”, says one of the citizens we spoke with.

One of the interlocutors complained that he had been deprived of his voting right, he didn’t want to explain why, and on his opinion in regards to the Referendum he replied: “When I don’t vote, I am not interested!”.

As much as 99,1 % of the people in Gevgelia went to the Referendum, voted against the opening of a gold mine. Only 164 people from Gevgelia voted for the permit to be granted.

Маjа Ivanovska

Camera: Dehran Muratov