North Macedonia’s presidential race is heating up as seven candidates compete for the largely ceremonial post in a two-round vote scheduled to conclude on May 8. The campaign season officially began on Thursday, allowing candidates to make speeches, hold rallies, and present their agendas. Incumbent President Stevo Pendarovski, seeking a second five-year term with support from the governing social democrats, currently leads in the polls. His main challenger is Gordana Siljanovska Davkova of the opposition center-right VMRO-DPMNE coalition, who also ran for president in the 2019 election.
Other candidates in the race include law professor Biljana Vankovska representing the leftist party Levica, as well as two candidates from the country’s ethnic Albanian minority: current Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani from the Democratic Union of Albanians and Arben Taravari from an opposition ethnic Albanian party. Rounding out the field are Mayor Maksim Dimitrievski of Kumanovo and Mayor Stevco Jakimovski of Karpos, a municipality in the capital of Skopje. The presidential election in North Macedonia operates on a two-round system, where a candidate must receive over 50% of the vote from all 1.8 million registered voters. In the second round, a minimum 40% voter turnout is required for the result to be valid.
Both the presidential election’s first round on April 24 and the second round coinciding with the general election on May 8 will be closely watched as political tensions run high in North Macedonia. The outcome of the election could have implications for the direction of the country’s leadership and policies in the coming years. Incumbent President Stevo Pendarovski’s re-election would signal continuity and stability, while a victory for Gordana Siljanovska Davkova could usher in a new era under the opposition’s leadership.
The election campaigns are expected to intensify in the coming weeks as candidates vie for support from voters across the country. With a diverse range of candidates representing various political parties and ethnic groups, the race is likely to showcase different visions for North Macedonia’s future. Issues such as economic development, governance, and national identity are expected to feature prominently in the candidates’ agendas as they seek to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters. The upcoming debates, rallies, and public appearances will provide voters with opportunities to evaluate the candidates and their platforms before casting their votes.
As the election draws nearer, North Macedonians are preparing to make their voices heard at the polls and participate in shaping the country’s future. The outcome of the presidential race will not only determine the country’s next president but also set the tone for the general election and the direction of North Macedonia’s government going forward. With a highly competitive field of candidates and a closely contested race expected, the election season promises to be a dynamic and engaging process for both candidates and voters alike. Stay tuned for updates on the campaign trail and the latest developments in North Macedonia’s presidential election.
