Incumbent, opposition candidate head to runoff in North Macedonia presidential race

By Dzihat Aliju

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AA) - Incumbent President Stevo Pendarovski and main opposition candidate Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova will compete in a second round in North Macedonia's presidential election following the first round held on Wednesday, according to unofficial results announced by the State Election Commission.

With 94.84% of polling stations reporting, Siljanovska-Davkova, supported by an alliance led by the main opposition Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), secured 40.19% of the vote. Incumbent President Pendarovski, backed by an alliance led by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), garnered 19.4% of the vote.

Other candidates in the race included current Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani with 13.43%, Arben Taravari with 9.44%, Maksim Dimitrievski with 8.83%, Biljana Vankovska Cvetkovska with 4.57% and Stevco Jakimovski with 0.91%.

The second round of the presidential election is set for May 8, coinciding with general elections in the country.

The turnout in the first round was 49.85%, with 23,188 votes deemed invalid. According to the constitution, for the second round to be valid, participation must reach at least 40%.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan