Clear victory for the candidate of the opposition party VMRO-DPMNE in the first round of the elections

He won a clear victory in yesterday’s first round of the presidential elections the candidate of the right-wing opposition party VMRO-DPMNEGordana Silianovska, winning with twice the percentage of her main rival, the candidate of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDSM) and outgoing president North Macedoniaby Stevo Pendarovski.

According to the results announced by the country’s National Electoral Commission, with 92% of the votes counted, Gordana Silianovska gathers 40%, while Stevo Pendarovski only 20% of the votes.

Third comes the candidate of the co-ruling Albanian party DUI and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar 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. 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, involving 70-year-old Gordana Silianovska and 60-year-old Stevo Pendarovski, will take place in two weeks (May 8) – at the same time as the parliamentary elections.

Gordana Silianovska in her statements late last night 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,” Mrs. Silianovska noted.