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Here are the first results from the elections in North Macedonia...
The first round of local elections in North Macedonia took place on Sunday, a process that took place in a largely calm atmosphere and without major incidents. Immediately after the end of voting, the State Election Commission began publishing preliminary results, which show a clear lead for VMRO-DPMNE.
According to the latest data, VMRO-DPMNE leads in 52 municipalities in the country, including important cities such as Ohrid, Shtip, Radovis, Sopishte, Resen and Sveti Nikola, while the party also claims a big victory in the leftist bastion of Strumica. This result is expected to mark a historic victory for Hristijan Mickoski's party and the coalition he leads.
In the Albanian political bloc, VLEN has achieved a significant success in the municipality of Chair, where candidate Izet Mexhiti declared victory, describing the result as a triumph of a new political generation. He stated that opponents have now "retired" and called on DUI leader Ali Ahmeti to resign.
In Tetovo, according to unofficial sources, VLEN candidate Bilall Kasami is ahead by about 2,000 votes over his AKI rival, Bajram Rexhepi. The race remains open in the municipality of Saraj, where so far there is no clear lead for any candidate.
On the other hand, the deputy chairman of the DUI, Arbër Ademi, confirmed that the AKI candidate in Gostivar, Valbon Limani, won without a runoff in the first round. Ademi also added that in the municipalities of Struga and Kicevo, the AKI candidates will face the representatives of VMRO-DPMNE in the runoff, thus confirming a strong competition in these areas. Arbër Ademi announced that Lipkovo and Plasnica also received mayors from the ranks of the DUI.
According to SEC data, the results so far are as follows: VMRO-DPMNE leads in 52 municipalities, the VALEN coalition in 9, SDSM in 7, NAI in 6 and DPT in only 1 municipality. The second round is expected to take place where no candidate has managed to secure an absolute majority of votes.
These elections are being held for the first time reflecting the results of the 2021 population census, which has led to a reduction in the number of council members in 14 municipalities. There are 5 coalitions, 18 political parties and 57 independent candidates running for mayor, while 6 coalitions, 28 parties and 67 independent lists have registered for municipal councils.
For the Albanian community, which makes up about a quarter of the country's population, these elections are a crucial moment to gauge real political strength and influence in local governance. Two rival blocs are competing with great ambitions: the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), after more than two decades in power and now in opposition, is seeking a return, while the VLEN Coalition, which is in power for the first time since the DUI was expelled from the government, is aiming to consolidate its ground.
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