North Macedonia Conducts Peaceful Elections for President and Parliament

North Macedonia held presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday, April 30, 2023, with citizens voting for a new president and parliament. The elections were largely peaceful, with about 320 international observers monitoring the process.

In the presidential race, no candidate secured enough votes to win outright in the first round. With about 92% of the votes counted, opposition candidate Gordana Siljanovska Davkova of the VMRO-DPMNE party was leading with almost 40% of the vote. Incumbent President Stevo Pendarovski, seeking a second five-year term with support from the governing social democrats, received nearly 20% according to the State Electoral Commission. A runoff election between the top two finishers is expected on May 8, coinciding with the parliamentary elections.

The presidential election is seen as crucial for North Macedonia's long-anticipated entry into the European Union, which has been a key issue in the campaign. The candidates have focused on EU accession, rule of law, fighting corruption, and reducing poverty. Both Siljanovska Davkova and Pendarovski support EU membership but have differed on how to deal with neighboring Bulgaria's demands regarding recognition of a Bulgarian ethnic minority in North Macedonia's constitution.

Why this matters: The election results could impact North Macedonia's efforts to join the EU, a process that has been ongoing for nearly two decades. The country's citizens have high expectations that the new president will oversee the long-awaited EU accession, which has been blocked by opposition from Greece and Bulgaria over issues of national identity and language.

North Macedonia has been a candidate to join the EU since 2005, but membership talks only began in 2022 and the process is expected to take years. Voter turnout was around 49.75% in the first round, reflecting the high stakes and expectations for the country's future direction.

Key Takeaways

• North Macedonia held presidential and parliamentary elections on April 30, 2023.
• Runoff presidential election expected on May 8 between top two finishers.
• EU accession is a key issue, with candidates differing on Bulgaria's demands.
• Voter turnout was around 49.75%, reflecting high stakes for the country's future.
• Election results could impact North Macedonia's long-anticipated EU membership process.