North Macedonia has elected its first woman president, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, as the governing Social Democrats suffer major setbacks in twin presidential and parliamentary elections. The conservative-backed Siljanovska-Davkova's victory signifies a significant shift in the country's political landscape.
North Macedonia's political landscape has undergone a seismic shift as the governing Social Democrats have been dealt historic losses in twin presidential and parliamentary elections, while conservative opposition forces have emerged victorious.
In a resounding victory, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, a 70-year-old law professor, has been elected as North Macedonia's first woman president. Backed by the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, Siljanovska-Davkova secured a resounding victory, garnering nearly 65% of the vote with over two-thirds of the ballots counted in the presidential runoff.
The incumbent president, Stevo Pendarovski, conceded defeat after receiving just over 29% of the vote. Siljanovska-Davkova's victory has sent shockwaves through the country's political establishment, marking a significant departure from the Social Democratic dominance that has characterized the past seven years.
The conservative landslide has not been limited to the presidential election. In the parliamentary elections, a coalition led by the VMRO-DPMNE party has emerged as the frontrunner, securing nearly 43% of the vote. In contrast, the Social Democrat-led coalition has struggled to hold onto second place with just 14.8% of the vote, barely ahead of a group of parties led by the ethnic Albanian minority party, DUI.
The conservative surge has been attributed to popular discontent over North Macedonia's slow progress towards European Union membership and its sluggish economy. The VMRO-DPMNE-led coalition has vowed to prioritize fighting corruption and tackling the country's economic stagnation.
Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, the victorious presidential candidate, has pledged to represent women in taking a "great step forward" towards reform. Her election marks a historic milestone for North Macedonia, becoming the first woman to hold the largely ceremonial post of president since the country gained independence from Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
The monthlong election campaign revolved around issues such as North Macedonia's slow progress towards EU membership, corruption, rule of law, fighting poverty, and stimulating economic growth. VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski has criticized the outgoing government for its perceived ineptitude and stated that the incoming conservative-led government will make fighting corruption a top priority.
North Macedonia, a NATO member, has been a candidate for EU membership since 2005, but has faced obstacles due to disputes with neighboring Greece and Bulgaria, as well as its own slow pace of reforms. The country's aspirations for EU membership have played a significant role in the ongoing political debates.
While celebrations in the capital, Skopje, have been dampened by a thunderstorm that caused power outages, the conservative landslide is expected to have far-reaching implications for North Macedonia's political future. The results of these elections will likely lead to power-sharing talks for control of the 120-seat parliament.
Social Democrat leader Dimitar Kovachevski, who served as prime minister from 2022 until earlier this year, has acknowledged his party's defeat in the parliamentary elections and announced his intention to step down after a new leader is selected. The landslide victory by Siljanovska-Davkova and the conservative forces is a testament to the changing political landscape of North Macedonia, marking a new era of uncertainty and potential transformation.
