The great concern of Athens concerns the possibility of North Macedonia finding supporters within the European Union, regarding its claims against Greece.
The Prespa Agreement is in the air, after the clear victory it scored in the first round of the presidential elections the candidate of the right-wing nationalist opposition party VMRO-DPMNE, Gordana Siljanovska, winning with twice the percentage of her main rival, the candidate of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDSM) and outgoing president North Macedoniaof Stevo Pendarovski.
According to the results announced by the country’s National Electoral Commission, with 92% of the votes counted, the Gordana Siljanovska gathers a percentage of 40%, while o Stevo Pendarovski just 20% of the vote.
Third comes the candidate of the co-ruling Albanian party DUI and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Buyar Osmani (13.6%) and fourth the candidate of the coalition of four opposition Albanian parties Arben Taravari (9.6%).
Seven candidates participated in the first round of the presidential elections.
What it means for Greece and the Prespa Agreement
It should be noted that the Gordana Siljanovska has directly challenged her Prespa Agreement and does not accept “North” before “Macedonia”.
A big question mark is the sustainability of the Agreement and the next steps of the new government, as together with the presidential elections on May 8, parliamentary elections will also be held in the neighboring country.
THE Siljanovska has declared that he considers the issue of the agreement “open”, while the president of the nationalist party VMRO-DPMNE Hristijan Mickoski and a possible next prime minister, has declared that for him the name of the country will always remain only “Macedonia”.
The role that Turkey will play is also crucial, as it has gained significant penetration in North Macedonia.
The great concern of Athens concerns the possibility of North Macedonia finding supporters within the European Union, regarding its claims against Greece.
With a big lead in the second round
In order for a president of the Republic of North Macedonia to be elected in the first round, it is required to secure more than 50% of the entire electorate in the country, which was considered completely unlikely to happen from the beginning.
Therefore, a second round will be held, between the two winners of the first.
The second round, in which the 70-year-old will participate Gordana Siljanovska and the 60-year-old Stevo Pendarovskiwill be held in two weeks (May 8) – at the same time as the parliamentary elections.
THE Gordana Siljanovska in her statements late last night she spoke of an “excellent result”.
“I am proud of the citizens, not only of those who voted for me, but also of the rest, I am especially proud of the members of VMRO-DPMNE and their support,” she noted.
THE Gordana Siljanovska he acknowledged that the result was not what he wanted, but added that he will try for the upset in the second round.
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