The opposition won overwhelmingly, signaling a more difficult path to EU membership.

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

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

According to Xinhua News Agency, the North Macedonian Election Commission has announced preliminary results of the second round of the parliamentary and presidential elections, showing that with 72% of the parliamentary votes counted, VMRO-DPMNE secured 42% of the vote, while the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDSM) only garnered 14%.

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

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

According to experts, the victory of the VMRO-DPMNE party could further complicate North Macedonia's EU accession negotiations, as the party opposes agreements with Greece and Bulgaria. North Macedonia is expected to face decades before becoming an EU member.

The term of office for the President of North Macedonia is five years. Although largely ceremonial, the President of North Macedonia has the power to nominate a Prime Minister for parliamentary approval and to be 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