The first round of presidential elections has begun in North Macedonia

The election could decide whether this diverse Balkan country ever joins the European Union.

Voters are voting in the first round of the presidential election, followed by a second round of the presidential election and parliamentary elections two weeks later.

Elections have been going on for two years now, with the government and opposition at odds over how to deal with neighboring Bulgaria’s bid to block North Macedonia’s EU membership.

Relations between Sofia and Skopje have been strained for years due to bitter disputes over the two countries’ similar languages ​​and history.

Sofia has refused to allow Skopje to start accession talks with the EU until North Macedonia recognizes its small Bulgarian minority in the constitution.

President Stevo Pendarovskis and the ruling center-left Social Democratic Party (SDSM) are open to change, but lack the mandates to win a parliamentary vote.

The opposition VMRO-DPMNE party refuses to budge and says any constitutional changes can be made after North Macedonia joins the EU, something the government says is unrealistic.

On Wednesday, voters will choose between the two opposing views, with Pendarovski at risk of being ousted by Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, who is backed by the right-wing party VMRO-DPMNE.

Polling stations open at 7 am. 15 minutes local (8 a.m. 3 p.m. Lithuanian) time.

Old political enemies

Two old political enemies, who both competed in the 2019 presidential election, are considered favorites among the seven candidates seeking the post of head of state.

The second round will take place on May 8, the same day as the country’s parliamentary elections.

S. Pendarovskis and SDSM promised to extend the stalled negotiations with the EU and ensure that the constitutional amendments are adopted in the parliament.

“The priority of the new parliament will be the adoption of constitutional amendments, and I hope that this process will begin immediately after the elections,” he said.

Siljanovska-Davkova and VMRO-DPMNE said the country, which had to change its name from Macedonia to North Macedonia in 2018 to resolve a separate long-standing dispute with Greece, would not be pushed around on the issue.

“Only unity can push us forward (…) and allow us to be proud,” said the former law professor and ex-parliamentarian at the rally on Monday evening.

Ana Petruseva, head of regional investigative journalism publication BIRN Macedonia, noted that voter turnout on Wednesday will be closely watched as an indicator of the parliamentary vote.

“The first round of the presidential election will be a dress rehearsal before the parliamentary elections on May 8 and will reveal the positions of the main parties,” she told the AFP news agency.

A possible Albanian president?

Public opinion polls show that S. Pendarovskis faces defeat.

Currently, public opinion polls show that G. Siljanovska-Davkova is leading with 26 percent. respondents’ support, while the current president is supported by 16 percent. of those interviewed.

A. Petruseva added that the remaining five candidates do not have much chance, but their support will be important in the second round.

Among them are North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Bujar Osmanis, who is backed by the ethnic Albanian party DUI, and Arben Taravaris, a representative of the opposition ethnic Albanian coalition.

The DUI offered its support in the second round of elections only on the condition that future presidents be elected by members of parliament, hoping that one day an ethnic Albanian would hold the post.

Albanians make up more than a quarter of the 1.8 million population. of the country’s population.

Both S. Pendarovskis and G. Siljanovska-Davkova oppose this proposal, arguing that democracies elect their leaders by direct vote.

But some voters say making ends meet is more important to them.

“I hope whoever wins will work to improve living standards and create a better future, especially for young people,” Sanja Jovanovič-Damjanovska, one of the voters, who works in public administration, told AFP.