Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, the right-wing main opposition party leader, has been elected as the next president of North Macedonia. The ruling SDSM party has accepted defeat in both the second round of the presidential election and the parliamentary election.
The center-left SDSM leader congratulated the victorious party on its victory, while Christian Mickoski, a right-wing leader, will become prime minister. The more ceremonial post of president will go to Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, who is a lawyer and professor by background.
In his speeches, Mickoski has criticized Bulgaria and Greece for their demands before North Macedonia would start EU membership talks. He has also targeted the country’s own Albanian minority with his criticism.
The election results in North Macedonia have implications for the country’s foreign relations and domestic policies. The incoming government is likely to take a different approach to Bulgaria, Greece, and the Albanian minority compared to the current administration. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact North Macedonia’s path towards EU membership and its relationships with neighboring countries.