North Macedonia is gearing up for its presidential elections scheduled for Wednesday. The country, striving to become a part of the European Union for the past two decades, faces a crucial electoral process to determine its future direction.
Candidates and Key Issues
Seven candidates are vying for the presidential position, emphasizing crucial matters such as EU accession, upholding the rule of law, combating corruption, and addressing poverty. The top contenders include incumbent President Stevo Pendarovski and opposition-backed Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, with differing views on crucial topics like Bulgaria’s influence on North Macedonia’s path to EU membership.
- Incumbent President Stevo Pendarovski, 61, supported by the governing social democrats.
- Opposition-backed Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, 70, endorsed by the main opposition VMRO-DPMNE coalition.
- Law professor Biljana Vankovska representing the leftist party Levica.
- Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani and Arben Taravari, both from the ethnic Albanian minority.
The election process is expected to require a second round of voting on May 8, aligning with parliamentary elections due to the anticipated failure of any candidate to secure the necessary 50% threshold for an outright victory.
North Macedonia’s long-standing EU candidate status, initiated in 2005 with formal membership talks commencing in 2022, remains a focal point of the electoral discourse. The country’s journey towards EU integration faces challenges, notably from neighbouring Bulgaria, impacting its path to full membership in the bloc.
With 1.8 million registered voters out of a 2.3 million population, the electoral outcome will significantly influence North Macedonia’s trajectory in the European political landscape. International observers are set to monitor the elections closely, with the first results anticipated early Thursday.
