North Macedonia Casts Votes in Elections Vital for EU Membership

North Macedonia is gearing up for parliamentary and presidential elections on Wednesday, with the rightist opposition expected to make significant gains against the ruling party. The ruling Social Democrats have faced criticism for their failure to advance talks to join the EU and tackle corruption, leading to growing frustration among voters.

Although no polls have been published ahead of the vote, the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party’s strong showing in the first round of presidential elections last month indicates a shift in public sentiment. A victory for the resurgent right could further complicate EU accession talks and strain relations with neighboring EU members Greece and Bulgaria.

The election includes a run-off for the presidency and parliamentary seats, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m. The state election commission is set to announce results from 3,360 polling stations later in the day.

VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski expressed confidence in a “convincing double victory” for the party. However, analysts warn that a VMRO-DPMNE win could hinder progress in EU talks, particularly due to their opposition to the agreement with Greece over the country’s name change.

The International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) cautioned that overturning international agreements could set North Macedonia back by decades and jeopardize its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. The outcome of the elections will have far-reaching implications for the country’s future trajectory.