CIVICUS speaks with Darko Duridanski, executive director of the Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers, about the recent election in North Macedonia.
The Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers is a civil society organisation that advocates for, represents and defends the rights of journalists and media workers in North Macedonia.
What was at stake in the 8 May elections?
On 8 May, North Macedonia held parliamentary elections along with the second round of the presidential election.
In the first round, held in April, incumbent president Stevo Pendarovski of the centre-left Social Democrats received only 20 per cent of the vote, while Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova of the right-wing Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) got 41 per cent. There was a runoff because no candidate received a majority, but Siljanovska was expected to win and did, by a wide margin.
A key issue at stake in this election was North Macedonia’s European Union (EU) accession, with the opposition candidate rejecting immediate EU advancement and the ruling party candidate advocating for prompt constitutional adjustments to align with EU standards.
Six of seven candidates expressed general backing for EU integration, although with nuances. Siljanovska opposes immediate EU progress, citing conditions presented by Bulgaria, such as constitutional changes to recognise North Macedonia’s Bulgarian minority. Her party wants to delay constitutional amendments until after EU accession. In contrast, the Social Democrats champion swift constitutional change to meet EU criteria and expedite the negotiation process. The election results will therefore have a direct impact on North Macedonia’s EU integration and foreign policy.
How influential is the president in North Macedonia’s parliamentary system?
In principle, the president has a largely symbolic and ceremonial role, with limited executive powers such as being the chief of the armed forces and signing adopted laws, with the option to delay once. The presidency’s primary focus is international relations and representing the state to the outside world.
While presidential elections are significant, parliamentary elections typically take precedence. North Macedonia’s political landscape is complex, with intricate dynamics, particularly concerning minority representation. Government formation typically means including a party representing the Albanian minority and gaining support from ethnic minority groups, among other factors.
It was the primacy of a foreign policy issue in this campaign that gave the presidential election an unusual importance. The victory of the right-wing party in both presidential and parliamentary elections is expected to have regional repercussions. A right-wing government will likely prioritise other issues over resolving outstanding conflicts crucial for advancing negotiations with the EU. Under this leadership, North Macedonia’s regional alliances may be looking at a period of uncertainty and stagnation.
Were there any concerns about the integrity or inclusiveness of the election process?
There was a lot of anticipation around these elections, so there were concerted efforts to maintain fairness and transparency. From implementing cutting-edge fingerprint voting to welcoming scrutiny from international observers, several measures were taken to ensure a level playing field.
In the context of preparations for the election, a rich conversation began to unfold. Recent amendments to political party laws and citizen initiatives have sparked debate. Critics suggested that a raised bar for party registration could block smaller parties and grassroots movements from participating fully, potentially reducing the range of perspectives in politics. However, at its core, the electoral framework remained open to all.
Did disinformation pose any significant threat to the election process?
Disinformation across various subjects, including elections, has been pervasive. A significant obstacle is the polarisation of the media landscape, which shapes how people receive information about political parties and their programmes and policies. Polarisation is particularly acute online. It often leads to unprofessional journalistic practices and makes it challenging for people to access accurate information, particularly during elections.
While there are laws governing traditional media such as broadcast and print, the regulation of online media is a contentious issue. There are laws aligned with EU standards, but they lack the specificity to address online disinformation effectively.
The government’s efforts to combat disinformation during the election primarily consisted of proposed measures on paper, with little implementation, and therefore yielded limited results. There have been civil society efforts to tackle the issue, including through fact-checking and digital literacy campaigns, but their impact has also been limited.
A comprehensive and sustained strategy to combat disinformation is needed to ensure voters can make an informed choice.
Why did the ruling party lose so resoundingly, and what can be expected next?
There are many reasons for the ruling party’s defeat but, in a nutshell, I’d say it greatly lost support because it didn’t fulfil the expectations of voters for the fight against corruption, improved economic conditions, better public services and judicial reform, to name a few.
The issue of EU integration and relations with Bulgaria also had a huge impact. People didn’t welcome the terms proposed to solve the issue and the constitutional change required. The Social Democrats party lost support from within its own ranks, with one prominent former party leader establishing his own party and winning six parliamentary seats.
Now it’s not clear what to expect. The winning right-wing party will most probably form a government with a coalition partner from the Albanian political bloc. The immediate post-election period is usually one of adaptation. I don’t expect any big decision by the new government in the first five or six months. We’ll have to wait and see how the new government will react or behave regarding EU accession and the conditions required to start negotiations, as well as towards our neighbours Bulgaria and Greece.
Civic space in North Macedonia is rated ‘narrowed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor.
Get in touch with the Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers through its website or Instagram page, and follow @SSNM_info on Twitter.
