Tensions Rise as Macedonia Protests Continue

Supporters of Macedonia's former ruling party, VMRO DPMNE, took to the streets for a second day on Tuesday to protest against a possible new coalition government following the December 11 general election.

Demonstrators claim the potential coalition between the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, SDSM, and ethnic Albanian parties will endanger ethnic Macedonian interests.

The protests - organised by the newly-formed Civic Initiative for a United Macedonia - began on Monday in the capital.

Thousands attended Tuesday's rally in Skopje and there were also protests in several other Macedonian towns including Bitola, Prilep, Kicevo, Kumanovo and Stip.

The Skopje rally was marred by violence as two journalists from the A1on news outlet - cameraman Vladimir Zelceski and journalist Aleksandar Todevski - were physically attacked while reporting on the protests.

"Participants at the protest attacked the reporters from behind, throwing punches towards their heads and kicking them. They have taken their camera, thrown it to the ground and started kicking it, managing to completely destroy it," A1on editor-in-chief Predrag Petrovic said.

"Medical emergency [workers] were called right away and at the moment the two reporters are at the urgent medical centre where they are being examined."

Photo-journalists at the scene managed to take pictures of the alleged attackers leaving the spot, and of the two reporters lying on the ground.

Violence fears

The protest organisers have pledged to continue demonstrations on Wednesday afternoon, despite fears rallies - which have been increasingly nationalist in tone - could be marred by further violence.

The rally in Skopje, attended...

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