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The Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) has emerged victorious in North Macedonia’s parliamentary elections, preliminary results reveal.
In the presidential race, with 99.82% of votes counted, incumbent left-wing president Stevo Pendarovski garnered 29.25% of the vote, while VMRO-DPMNE candidate Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova clinched 65.14%. This potentially makes the 70-year-old lawyer the nation’s first female president.
Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. Photo: Facebook / Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova
Ms. Siljanovska-Davkova declared her victory, expressing a commitment to representing all citizens irrespective of nationality, emphasizing the need for unity beyond party lines.
Acknowledging his defeat, Pendarovski extended congratulations to the new president and expressed hopes for her success. He criticized the largest Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), for urging an ethnic Albanian voter boycott, resulting in empty ballot boxes in many Albanian-majority areas.
According to preliminary results from the Election Commission, VMRO-DPMNE secured 43.22% of the vote with a turnout of 99.24%, while the ruling left-wing Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) garnered 15.36%. SDSM conceded defeat, acknowledging significant losses.
Amid fireworks and festivities, VMRO-DPMNE celebrated their victory, signaling their return to power after leading the country from 2006 to 2016.
Party president Hristijan Mickoski declared, “Macedonia has won,” emphasizing the need to address issues of crime, corruption, and nepotism that plagued the previous administration.
The Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia (SDSM), in power since 2017, faced criticism for its concessions to gain NATO membership and facilitate EU accession. The right-wing opposition, vocal during the campaign, condemned further concessions.
Congratulations to @VMRO_DPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski and Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova on their well-deserved and historic victory at today’s presidential and parliamentary elections in North Macedonia! I am looking forward to working together on giving new momentum to the EU…
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) May 8, 2024
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán congratulated the conservative forces in Skopje on their triumph. Both leaders expressed intentions to elevate bilateral relations between Hungary and North Macedonia following VMRO-DPMNE’s government formation.
Via MTI; Featured Image: Pixabay