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Conservatives Expected to Cement Victory in North Macedonia Local Elections

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

North Macedonia's ruling conservatives are poised to solidify their power in local elections runoffs, following a landslide victory in the first round. With candidates winning 33 out of 44 mayoral contests, the opposition Social Democrats' hopes for an early general election have been derailed. The conservative party's strong showing has left the opposition far behind, with almost all contests trending in their favor. The key issues of economy, jobs, and education are likely to take a backseat as voters grapple with more pressing concerns, such as garbage collection, which has plagued the capital city of Skopje for weeks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ruling VMRO-DPMNE conservatives won 33 out of 44 mayoral contests decided in the first round, securing a landslide victory.
  • The opposition Social Democrats are facing a tough challenge, with the conservatives leading in almost all contests.
  • The first round of local elections saw a turnout of 46.48%, with over 1 million eligible voters participating in the runoffs.
  • Candidates' promises on economy, jobs, and education may be overshadowed by the pressing issue of garbage collection, which has caused concerns in Skopje.
  • The VMRO-DPMNE conservatives' victory is likely to cement their power in North Macedonia, dashing the opposition's hopes for an early general election.
  • The garbage collection crisis in Skopje has attracted rats, flies, and stray cats and dogs, posing health risks to residents, including a recent incident where a child was bitten by a rat.

Statistics:

  • 33: The number of mayoral contests won by the VMRO-DPMNE conservatives in the first round.
  • 44: The total number of mayoral contests decided in the first round.
  • 46.48%: The turnout in the first round of local elections.
  • 1,016,669: The estimated number of eligible voters participating in the runoffs.
  • 37: The number of municipalities in North Macedonia where runoffs are taking place, including the capital Skopje.
  • 81: The total number of municipalities in North Macedonia.

Sources:

  • AP (2025) – Voters Cast Ballots in North Macedonia Runoffs

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