North Macedonia Elects First Woman President Amid Political Shift

North Macedonia made history on May 8 by electing Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, a 70-year-old law professor and representative of the opposition national conservative party VMRO-DPMNE, as the country's first woman president. Siljanovska-Davkova secured approximately 65% of the votes in peacefulpresidential and parliamentary electionsthat marked a significant shift in the nation's political landscape.

Incumbent Social Democrat Stevo Pendarovski conceded defeat with just over 29% of the vote, extending congratulations to the winners. The conservative-backed Siljanovska-Davkova's win signals a departure from the governing social democrats, who suffered an unprecedented loss in both presidential and parliamentary elections.

Why this matters: This election outcome has significant implications for North Macedonia's EU accession and its relationships with neighboring countries, particularly Bulgaria and Greece. The new government's ability to navigate these complex issues will impact the country's economic growth and stability in the region.

In the parliamentary election, the VMRO-DPMNE-led coalition emerged ahead with nearly 43% of the vote, while the Social-Democrat-led coalition struggled to maintain second place with 14.8%, narrowly surpassing a coalition led by the ethnic Albanian minority party DUI. The surge in opposition ratings stems from widespread dissatisfaction with economic challenges and the prolonged wait for EU membership. Despite North Macedonia's candidacy since 2005, approval has been hindered by disputes with neighboring Bulgaria and Greece, alongside slow reform progress.

The presidential role in North Macedonia primarily involves representative functions. However, this victory may impact negotiations on EU accession, given the historical tensions with Greece and Bulgaria fueled by the rhetoric of national conservatives. Political analyst Simonida Kacharska emphasizes the importance of constitutional changes for European integration, suggesting potential shifts in coalition dynamics.

Amid celebrations in the capital Skopje, attention turned to power-sharing negotiations for control of the 120-seat parliament. Social democrat leader Dimitar Kovachevski conceded his party's defeat and announced his resignation, paving the way for a new leader. The election campaign focused on key issues, including the rule of law, corruption, poverty alleviation, and economic growth.

VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski, heading the "Your Macedonia" coalition, pledged to prioritize anti-corruption efforts in the incoming conservative-led government. With renewed hope and a commitment to change, Mickoski emphasized accountability for corruption and a revitalized vision for the country's future. "Very soon we will start negotiations with the opposition parties to form the best coalition and Government for our Macedonia. The process will be transparent," stated Mickoski.

The European Unioncongratulated Siljanovska-Davkova on her election, encouraging the formation of a stable government to advance EU accession and implement key reforms. However, the transition of power may not be smooth, with DUI's Ali Ahmeti hinting that his party's place in power is crucial for the country's stability. The new government will need to navigate bilateral disputes, particularly with Bulgaria, to unlock North Macedonia's EU accession.

The Prespa Agreement, which went into effect on February 12, 2019, changed the constitutional name of the country to the Republic of North Macedonia. However, President-elect Siljanovska-Davkova and VMRO DPMNE leader Mickoski have repeatedly stated that the name of their country is "Macedonia" and not "North Macedonia," raising concerns about respecting the agreement. Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetrititis warned, "It is very difficult for North Macedonia to disrespect the Prespa Agreement as it is an international agreement that can bring about serious sanctions if it is violated."

The election outcomeis attributed to the outgoing government's failure to deliver accountability and justice, as well as the perceived unbalanced French proposal for EU accession, which has increased Euroscepticism in the country. The EU's enlargement policy and the credibility of the new government will play a crucial role in shaping the country's future. As North Macedonia enters a new political era, the challenges of balancing domestic expectations, regional disputes, and European integration lie ahead for the newly elected leadership.