North Macedonia: Rising Appeal of Mayoral Office Surpasses Minister and MP Positions
In the recent local elections in North Macedonia, the mayoral positions have seen significant interest, surpassing that of ministerial and parliamentary roles. The coalition led by the VMRO-DPMNE party has emerged as a dominant force, winning 55 out of 80 municipalities, including the capital, Skopje. This developed after the second round of voting on November 2, which followed the initial round on October 19.
Election Results Overview
After two rounds, the election results revealed a notable voter turnout drop. The second round saw a turnout of only 41.24%, with Skopje’s mayoral race at an even lower 35.33%. The participation rates in both rounds were the lowest since North Macedonia’s independence.
- First Round Turnout: 48.30% (885,085 of 1,832,415 registered voters)
- Second Round Turnout: 41.24%
- Lowest Participation Since Independence
Winning Parties and Their Positions
Following the elections, various political parties secured mayoral seats as follows:
- VMRO-DPMNE: 55 mayors
- Vredi Coalition: 9 mayors
- SDSM (Opposition): 6 mayors
- DUI: 4 mayors
- ZNAM Movement: 1 mayor
- Roma Union: 1 mayor
- Independent Candidates: 2 mayors
Notably, prominent political figures are transitioning to mayoral roles. For instance, Izet Medziti, a former Deputy Prime Minister, will serve as the mayor of Chair.
Challenges and Criticism
The elections also prompted criticisms from opposition leader Venko Filipce, who claimed that the ruling party was losing support. The results indicated reduced votes compared to prior parliamentary elections. Furthermore, the opposition asserted there was a need for political change.
Voter Participation Trends
Historically, voter turnout in mayoral elections has declined. The most significant turnout was 67% in 2013, followed by 60% in 2017, and 50.57% in 2021. This trend reflects an overall diminishing engagement among voters.
Future Regulations and Election Procedures
In four municipalities, required turnout levels were not met, triggering new election procedures. A fresh vote will be conducted within 60 days after final results are confirmed.
Additionally, proposed amendments to the Law on Local Self-Government may allow citizens to recall mayors by referendum. However, these amendments have yet to be adopted, meaning mayors currently remain in office unless certain conditions arise.
Candidate Landscape
A total of 309 candidates contested the mayoral elections, with only 32 being women—accounting for about 10.35% of all candidates. In historical context, the 1996 local elections featured the highest number of candidates at 683, while 2017 recorded the lowest with 257.
- Female Mayoral Successes: Four women were elected, including Beti Stamenkoska Trajkoska in Kisela Voda and two others in the second round.
- Lowest Representation: Some municipalities had female candidates exclusively, highlighting the ongoing gender disparities in political representation.
Conclusion
The outcome of this election cycle underscores the rising appeal of the mayoral office in North Macedonia, overshadowing other government positions. As the new mayors prepare to assume their roles, the political landscape is set for further developments.
