North Macedonia Poised for Presidential Runoff Amidst EU Aspirations

North Macedonia will hold a presidential runoff on May 8 after no candidate secured a majority in Wednesday's first round. The election, coinciding with parliamentary polls, has sparked hopes for the country's long-awaited entry into the European Union.

Amidst aspirations to join the European Union, North Macedonia will face a presidential runoff on May 8 following an inconclusive first round of voting on Wednesday. With 92% of the votes counted, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, backed by the center-right opposition coalition VMRO-DPMNE, emerged with a substantial lead of just under 40%. Incumbent President Stevo Pendarovski, seeking a second term with support from the ruling social democrats, trailed with nearly 20%.

To clinch outright victory, a candidate required over 50% of registered voter support. Therefore, Siljanovska Davkova and Pendarovski will square off in the runoff. The result has instilled optimism in North Macedonians, who hope the new president will guide the country's entry into the EU.

For nearly two decades, the Balkan country has been on the sidelines of the 27-nation bloc with limited progress. During the celebration outside VMRO-DPMNE headquarters in Skopje, Siljanovska Davkova emphasized her pro-EU stance, declaring, "This is the beginning of a new era... Let us prove that we have always (belonged to) Europe."

Pendarovski expressed disappointment but remained hopeful for the second round, particularly with the support of the ethnic Albanian minority, representing approximately one-quarter of the population. The brief campaign focused on issues such as EU accession, rule of law, anti-corruption measures, and poverty reduction.

Seven candidates were vying for the largely ceremonial position, with Siljanovska Davkova and Pendarovski aligning on North Macedonia's place within the EU. However, they differ on how to address Bulgaria's insistence on constitutional recognition of a Bulgarian ethnic minority in Skopje. Bulgaria's EU membership has been a stumbling block for North Macedonia's bloc bid.

Since 2005, North Macedonia has been an EU candidate, but membership talks only commenced in 2022. The process is projected to span several years. Voter Stavre Temelkovski expressed high hopes for the country's impending EU membership, stating, "I expect a civic movement to win, for us to be a part of all those pro-Western systems, and to start a process of healing for a state which has waited for almost three decades."

The electoral commission reported smooth voting, with minor technical issues resolved promptly. The presidential runoff on May 8 will coincide with parliamentary elections, shaping the country's political landscape and its trajectory towards European integration.