North Macedonia - May 2024
Right-wing VMRO-DPMNE wins parliamentary elections; its candidate wins presidency
North Macedonia held parliamentary elections and the presidential runoff on 8 May. The right-wing coalition VMRO-DPMNE emerged as the largest party with 43.3 per cent of the vote, marking a shift in power after seven years of rule by the centre-left Social Democratic Union (SDSM), which secured 15.3 per cent of the vote. The European Front coalition received 13.6 per cent. VMRO-DPMNE-backed Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova won the presidential runoff with 65 per cent of the vote, becoming North Macedonia's first female president. Experts said the results reflect voter frustration with corruption and stalled EU accession efforts. Women comprised 43 per cent of parliamentary candidates. International observers reported the elections were competitive with a pluralistic campaign, but were marred by nationalistic rhetoric, legislative shortcomings, and inadequate oversight of campaign finances. Similar to previous elections, voter turnout was 55.4 per cent for parliamentary elections and 47.4 per cent for the presidential runoff.
Update: In a final report issued in September, international election observers said that the elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms were respected, but the process remained insufficiently regulated.
Source: State Election Commission (1), State Election Commission (2), Reuters (1), Reuters (2), OSCE ODIHR (1), OSCE/ODIHR (2), International IDEA
