Opposition wins overwhelmingly, signaling bumpier road to EU

According to preliminary results, the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party in the Republic of North Macedonia won both the parliamentary and presidential elections on May 8.

The opposition took a big lead in the second round of North Macedonia's parliamentary and presidential elections on May 8. (Source: Reuters)

Xinhua news agency reported that the North Macedonia Election Commission announced the preliminary results of the second round of the parliamentary and presidential elections, showing that with 72% of the parliamentary votes counted, VMRO-DPMNE won 42% of the support, while the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDSM) won only 14%.

Meanwhile, the results of counting 87% of the presidential votes also showed that candidate Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova of the VMRO-DPMNE party won 65% of the votes, overwhelming compared to the 29% of the votes that incumbent President Stevo Pendarovski, candidate of the SDSM party, won.

SDSM leader Dimitar Kovacevski has conceded defeat in both elections. However, VMRO-DPMNE will have to form a coalition with smaller parties to win a majority in parliament. Discussions on this issue are expected to begin as early as May 9.

According to experts, the victory of the VMRO-DPMNE party could complicate the process of North Macedonia's accession to the European Union (EU), because the party opposes agreements with Greece and Bulgaria. North Macedonia is said to take decades to become a member of the EU.

The term of office of the President of North Macedonia is five years. Although largely ceremonial, the President of North Macedonia has the power to propose a Prime Minister to the Parliament and is the Commander-in-Chief of the country's armed forces.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ket-qua-bau-cu-bac-macedonia-phe-doi-lap-thang-ap-dao-bao-hieu-con-duong-vao-eu-them-gap-ghenh-270642.html