SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Citizens voted in North Macedonia on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and presidential runoff dominated by the country’s slow path toward European Union membership and its sluggish economy.
The conservative opposition appeared poised to make gains after a strong showing in the first round of presidential voting on April 24, threatening to oust the Social Democrats who have been in power for seven years.
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SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Citizens voted in North Macedonia on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and presidential runoff dominated by the country’s slow path toward European Union membership and its sluggish economy.
Hristijan Mickoski, the leader of the opposition center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, makes statements at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia were casting ballots on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and a presidential runoff dominated by issues including the country's path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Dimitar Kovacevski, the leader of the ruling Social-Democrats (SDSM), makes statements after voting at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Dimitar Kovacevski, the leader of the ruling Social-Democrats (SDSM), casts his ballots at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling stationin Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, presidential candidate backed by the opposition center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, casts her ballot at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia were casting ballots on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and a presidential runoff dominated by issues including the country's path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Hristijan Mickoski, the leader of the opposition center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, casts his ballots at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia were casting ballots on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and a presidential runoff dominated by issues including the country's path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Dimitar Kovacevski, the leader of the ruling Social-Democrats (SDSM), casts his ballots at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
An electoral official gives a ballot to a voter during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling stationin Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia were casting ballots on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and a presidential runoff dominated by issues including the country's path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A man casts his ballots during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A girl casts the ballot of an adult during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A voter uses a finger print machine to confirm her ID before casting her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
An electoral official stamps the ballots during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman enters a polling station to cast her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A man casts his ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A cat stands under ballot boxes during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
People walk under the election posters of Dimitar Kovacevski, the leader of the ruling Social-Democrats (SDSM), center right and their ruling partner Ali Ahmet, the leader of the ethnic Albanian party DUI, center left, in a street in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Monday, May 6, 2024. Voters go to the polls on Wednesday in North Macedonia to cast ballots for parliamentary election and presidential runoff, for the second time in two weeks. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A giant poster of Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, the presidential candidate supported by the center-right main opposition VMRO-DPMNE coalition, hanging on a building in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Monday, May 6, 2024. Voters go to the polls on Wednesday in North Macedonia to cast ballots for parliamentary election and presidential runoff, for the second time in two weeks. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A man feeds pigeons near an electoral poster of Izet Mexhiti from the ethnic Albanian opposition party VLEN, in a street in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Monday, May 6, 2024. Voters go to the polls on Wednesday in North Macedonia to cast ballots for parliamentary election and presidential runoff, for the second time in two weeks. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman and a girl ride bicycles by Vardar river in downtown Skopje, North Macedonia, on Monday, May 6, 2024. Voters go to the polls on Wednesday in North Macedonia to cast ballots for parliamentary election and presidential runoff, for the second time in two weeks. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
In the first round, presidential challenger Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova won 41.2% of the vote, while incumbent Stevo Pendarovski, who is supported by the governing center-left coalition, garnered just 20.5%.
Polls closed Wednesday at 7 p.m. local time and preliminary results were expected early Thursday.
Victory for the 70-year-old Siljanovska-Davkova would make her the first woman to hold the largely ceremonial post since the country gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
“I am ashamed that after 30 years we have a chance to have a woman for president and my question is, why is it so? Why tolerate this macho world?” she said after voting Wednesday in the capital, Skopje.
Turnout in the runoff must be at least 40% for the result to be valid and avoid a repeat election.
Pendarovski, 61, expressed confidence the threshold would be met.
In the parliamentary election, more than 1,700 candidates are vying for the 120 seats in the unicameral assembly.
The monthlong campaign focused on North Macedonia’s progress toward joining the 27-nation EU, the rule of law, corruption, fighting poverty and tackling the country’s flat economic growth.
“Yes, (I expect changes), because the current government did nothing,” he said. “But I don’t expect anything either from the new government,” Skopje voter Atanas Lovacev said. “They all make promises, but the result is nothing.”
Opinion polls had consistently shown the center-right opposition VMRO-DPMNE party, led by Hristijan Mickoski at the head of a 22-party coalition called “Your Macedonia,” with a double-digit lead over the coalition “For A European Future,” led by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, or SDSM.
“Mass turnout is a vote and a decision for the future of our families and the future of our homeland,” Mickoski said after voting in the capital.
SDSM leader Dimitar Kovachevski, who served as prime minister from 2022 until early this year, said Wednesday’s vote would “determine the future of the country for the next decade.”
“I expect the citizens to vote freely as befits a NATO member country and a country that has opened negotiations with the EU, and I expect them to make a decision that will ensure a secure and prosperous future,” he said.
Two coalitions in the running represent the country’s ethnic Albanian minority, which accounts for a quarter of North Macedonia’s population.
North Macedonia’s path to the EU is being blocked by neighboring Bulgaria, which demands that the constitution be amended to recognize a Bulgarian minority. And while the center-left has agreed to the demand, VMRO-DPMNE called it a “capitulation.”
North Macedonia has been a candidate to join the EU since 2005, but was blocked for years by neighboring Greece in a dispute over the country’s name. That was resolved in 2018, but Bulgaria is now the one blocking the process and has said it will only lift its veto once the constitution is amended.
Skopje resident Gordana Gerasimovski said she was disappointed the country had been waiting for so long to join the EU, but hoped for real progress now.
“We should have been part of European Union long time ago,” she said. “This is what we are lacking, but we hope that the time will get us where we want to be for so long.”
More than 2,300 domestic and international observers were scheduled to monitor the election, according to the State Electoral Commission.
Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, presidential candidate backed by the opposition center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, waves as she leaves from a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia were casting ballots on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and a presidential runoff dominated by issues including the country's path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Hristijan Mickoski, the leader of the opposition center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, makes statements at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia were casting ballots on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and a presidential runoff dominated by issues including the country's path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Dimitar Kovacevski, the leader of the ruling Social-Democrats (SDSM), makes statements after voting at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Dimitar Kovacevski, the leader of the ruling Social-Democrats (SDSM), casts his ballots at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling stationin Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, presidential candidate backed by the opposition center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, casts her ballot at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia were casting ballots on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and a presidential runoff dominated by issues including the country's path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Hristijan Mickoski, the leader of the opposition center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, casts his ballots at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia were casting ballots on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and a presidential runoff dominated by issues including the country's path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Dimitar Kovacevski, the leader of the ruling Social-Democrats (SDSM), casts his ballots at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
An electoral official gives a ballot to a voter during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling stationin Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia were casting ballots on Wednesday in a parliamentary election and a presidential runoff dominated by issues including the country's path toward European Union membership, corruption and the economy. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A man casts his ballots during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A girl casts the ballot of an adult during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A voter uses a finger print machine to confirm her ID before casting her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
An electoral official stamps the ballots during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman enters a polling station to cast her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A man casts his ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A cat stands under ballot boxes during the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman casts her ballots for the parliamentary election and the presidential runoff, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Voters in North Macedonia go to the polls Wednesday for a double election — parliamentary and presidential — following a campaign in which the country's aspirations to join the European Union have played a central role. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
People walk under the election posters of Dimitar Kovacevski, the leader of the ruling Social-Democrats (SDSM), center right and their ruling partner Ali Ahmet, the leader of the ethnic Albanian party DUI, center left, in a street in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Monday, May 6, 2024. Voters go to the polls on Wednesday in North Macedonia to cast ballots for parliamentary election and presidential runoff, for the second time in two weeks. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A giant poster of Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, the presidential candidate supported by the center-right main opposition VMRO-DPMNE coalition, hanging on a building in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Monday, May 6, 2024. Voters go to the polls on Wednesday in North Macedonia to cast ballots for parliamentary election and presidential runoff, for the second time in two weeks. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A man feeds pigeons near an electoral poster of Izet Mexhiti from the ethnic Albanian opposition party VLEN, in a street in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Monday, May 6, 2024. Voters go to the polls on Wednesday in North Macedonia to cast ballots for parliamentary election and presidential runoff, for the second time in two weeks. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A woman and a girl ride bicycles by Vardar river in downtown Skopje, North Macedonia, on Monday, May 6, 2024. Voters go to the polls on Wednesday in North Macedonia to cast ballots for parliamentary election and presidential runoff, for the second time in two weeks. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
