Macedonia Opposition Establishes Protest Tent Camp

The protesters said they would not leave the tent camp until the resignation of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who they blame for installing an authoritarian regime in Macedonia, even though the premier's allies plan to stage a counter-demonstration on Monday.

"For as long as he [Gruevski] is ready to remain in power, we are ready to stay here, for as long as it takes," one of the several thousand protestors who spent the night in the camp told media on Sunday evening.

The protesters started putting up the tents outside the government building after a four-hour-long anti-government and pro-democracy protest on Sunday that observers said attracted at least 40,000 people.

After a big stage set up for the rally was dismantled, activists erected a smaller one that will provide entertainment for the camping protesters.

DJs played music for the campers on Sunday evening while the opposition leadership also spent the first night outdoors with the protesters.

"I plan to stay here until the early morning, after which I will have to prepare and head for talks [with the ruling party]... but I will come back," the head of the opposition Social Democrats Zoran Zaev told media.

While the Sunday protest passed off peacefully despite fears of violence after clashes at a previous rally earlier this month, concerns have been raised that there could be violence on Monday evening when the ruling VMRO DPMNE party stages its counter-rally aimed at expressing support for Gruevski, who has been in power since 2006.

The counter-rally dubbed "For a Strong Macedonia" is due to take place in front of parliament, less than 800 metres away from the opposition's camp. The authorities have been urged to do all they can to prevent government supporters...