- You are here:
- Home
- › Travel & living abroad
- › Travel advice by country
- › Country profiles
- › Europe
- › Macedonia
Europe
Macedonia |
|
|
Republic of Macedonia is the constitutional name, used by the UK since 1999 for bilateral and internal purposes. Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is used in multilateral forums such as the EU or UN. Last reviewed: 06 August 2009 |
Country information
Area: 25,333 sq km (9,928 sq miles)
Population: 2,071,210 (July 2004 est.)
Capital city: Skopje (pop: 506,926 - 2002 Census)
People: (2002 Census) Macedonian 64%, Albanian 25%, Turkish 4%, Roma 3%, Serb 2%, Bosniaks 0.5%, Vlachs 0.5%, Others 1%
Languages: Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Serbian, Vlach, and Roma
Religion: Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%
Currency: Macedonian Denar
Major political parties: Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation – Democratic Party for Macedonian Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), Democratic Party for Integration (DUI), Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA), New Social Democratic Party (NSDP),, Liberal Party (LP), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Socialist Party of Macedonia (SP), Party for European Future (PEI), New Democracy (DR) - (Demokracija e Re).
Parliamentary parties: Democratic Union (DS), Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia (DPS), Democratic Party of Turks in Macedonia, (DPT); Union of Romas in Macedonia, Party for Democratic Action in Macedonia, Democratic Renewal of Macedonia (DOM), New Alternative (NA)
Membership of international groupings/organisations: Candidate Country for EU Membership, Organisation for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe (COE), South-East Europe Cooperation Process, Stabilisation and Association Agreement with EU, Membership Action Plan with NATO since 1999. Partnership for Peace (PfP) with NATO. Member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Central Europe Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).
ECONOMY
Basic Economic Facts
Basic Economic Facts (according to Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies)
GDP: €6.506 bn (2008) GDP per capita at purchasing power parity €8,200 (2008).
Annual growth: GDP real growth 5% (2008 World Bank estimate)
Inflation: 8.3% (2008)
After gaining independence in 1991, Macedonia faced a number of obstacles to economic growth. These included the 1992-2000 UN economic sanctions on Serbia, 1993-6 Greek trade embargo, 1999 Kosovo refugee crisis and the 2001 internal crisis. The economy finally started to pick up in 2004, maintaining macro-economic stability and modest growth in 2005/6.
The new government elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2008 has put the economy as the cornerstone of its work plan, with emphasis on attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and enhancing the business climate. A number of reforms, primarily tax and business reform have reduced the grey economy and stimulated economic growth. GDP grew by 5.1% in 2007 - the highest since independence - and continued at in 2008.
However, the global economic crisis also made an impact on the Macedonian economy. Macroeconomic stability worsened in 2008 with a record increase of the current account deficit, depletion of foreign currency reserves and high inflation, partly as a result of the global rise in prices and the credit crunch. Apart from the inflation, which fell to about 1%, the other indicators follow the same trajectory in 2009. GDP fell by 0.9% in the first quarter and is predicted to follow the same downward trend into the second quarter, especially as industrial production continues to fall. In the first five months of the year exports were down by 50%, foreign trade fell by 37% and the trade deficit came close to 1 billion USD. Coupled with the drop of remittances and FDIs (-58%) this led to a further increase of the current account deficit which according to the Central Banks estimates may reach 14% of GDP by the end of the year (compared to 12.7% in 2008).
The Government temporarily solved the budget liquidity problems through issuing short-term treasury bills with high interest rates and 175 million euros worth of Eurobonds, with a 9.9% interest rate (almost 60% of which were purchased by UK investors), as well as with the budget rebalance adopted in April. The liquidity boost will also help build foreign currency reserves and for the time being the pressure is off the Macedonian Denar peg to the Euro. The recent Government reshuffle focused mainly on its economic team and could result in some policy changes such as further serious cuts in expenditure and/or signing of an agreement with the IMF, which has been stalled until now.
Macedonia avoided the world financial crisis mainly because its banking sector and the stock exchange are not very much exposed to the international markets. However, the biggest impact of the global crisis is felt by the Macedonian private sector. The competition of the Government and the Central Bank on the securities market has left Macedonian companies with very limited access to credits. The drop of metal prices on the world market and decreased global demand have forced the metal and textile companies to scale back both production and employment. This has a huge effect on the Macedonian economy, as these two industries are the biggest exporters and employers. The official rate of unemployment in the first quarter 2009 is 32.7%. Given the liquidity problems and the fall of FDIs it would be very difficult to make some more serious investments that could help boost the economy.
HISTORY
Recent History
Independence
On 9 September 1991, Macedonians overwhelmingly voted in favour of independence from Yugoslavia. This led to the adoption on 20 November 1991 of a new constitution, which proclaimed the 'Republic of Macedonia' as a sovereign and independent state. In March 1992 the peaceful withdrawal of the Yugoslav army from its territory was successfully negotiated. Macedonia was the only country to accede from the Yugoslav federation peacefully.
Conflict in 2001
Stability in Macedonia was seriously affected by the Kosovo crisis in 1999, during which the country received around 300,000 refugees. Albanians form the principal minority, comprising 25% of the population according to the census of 2002, the results of which were announced on 1 December 2003. They live mainly in the west of the country, neighbouring Albania and Kosovo. Violence between ethnic Albanian insurgents and the security forces broke out in February 2001, starting with a number of isolated incidents between the ‘National Liberation Army’ (NLA) and the Macedonian police in the area of Tanusevci, near the Kosovo border. Macedonian forces were able to establish tentative control of the area towards the end of March. After a lull, violence resumed in late April with an attack that left eight members of the Government forces dead; in early May the NLA seized villages near the northern town of Kumanovo. Following the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU on 9 April 2001 (see below), a parliamentary 'Europe Committee' was established as a means of enhancing political and particularly inter-ethnic dialogue. As the situation deteriorated, however, the political dialogue made little progress. The humanitarian situation worsened, particularly in the NLA-held villages. Tens of thousands of ethnic Albanians managed to flee the fighting to southern Kosovo and Serbia, whilst ethnic Macedonians tended to flee to other parts of the country. According to UNHCR monitoring, most refugees and internally displaced persons were accommodated by local families.
The Ohrid Framework Agreement
Fighting was interrupted in June when NATO negotiated a cease-fire between the two sides. The cease-fire more or less held whilst peace talks continued between the ethnic Albanian and Macedonian political leaders and the late President Trajkovski. These talks, facilitated by the European Union, NATO, the US and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), produced a settlement based around a Framework Agreement. In broad terms, the Agreement called for an end to the conflict by disarming the NLA, offering them an amnesty, and initiating a reform process to address ethnic Albanian aspirations. It was formally signed in Ohrid on 13 August. In late August, as called for in the Framework Agreement, NATO deployed a Task Force 'Essential Harvest', comprising over 3000 troops, to collect weapons volunteered by the NLA. The mission was successful and during September and early October, the level of violence in the country greatly reduced whilst the political process concentrated efforts on implementing the Ohrid Framework Agreement.
After much prevarication, the Macedonian Parliament formally ratified the constitutional changes as agreed at Ohrid on 16 November. President Trajkovski promulgated an amnesty for former NLA fighters and an enhanced mission of international monitors was deployed to facilitate both the return of displaced people to their homes and of the Macedonian police to the areas of conflict. Successive NATO task forces provided necessary security until the 31 March 2003 when this duty was passed over to the first EU military mission, Operation Concordia, which terminated on 15 December 2003.
On 8 March 2002, the Macedonian Parliament passed an Amnesty Law, providing amnesty to those involved in the conflict. In the summer of 2004, a package of laws on decentralisation was passed. A referendum to go back to the 1996 laws was called and held on 7 November. The referendum failed due to low voter turnout (26% turnout against a required 50% plus one quorum). On 15 July 2005, the Macedonian Parliament passed legislation covering the display of national flags and symbols. This completed the legislative agenda of the Ohrid Framework Agreement.
BBC News Country Timeline: Macedonia
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Macedonia's Relations with Neighbours
Greece and the Name issue
International recognition of Macedonia's split from Yugoslavia in 1991 was held up by Greek fears that the country's constitutional name implied territorial ambitions on the northern Greek region of Macedonia. In September 1995, following three years of difficult relations, Greece and Macedonia signed an Interim Accord facilitating the normalisation of relations and Greece recognised Macedonia under the designation 'former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia' (fYROM). Macedonians do not use the acronym 'fYROM' and they dislike its use by others. The UK uses ‘Republic of Macedonia’ in bilateral relations but in certain international fora uses the designation ‘former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’. Some countries however have recognised Macedonia under its constitutional name, including the US in 2004.
Negotiations are continuing under UN auspices to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Greece remains the largest investor in Macedonia.
Kosovo
On 9 October 2008, both Macedonia and Montenegro announced their decisions to recognise the independence of Kosovo. At the same time both countries stress their desire to continue to build close relations with Serbia. Macedonia does accept the new Kosovo passports as a legitimate travel document.
Serbia
Macedonia also enjoys good relations with Serbia although there are some thorny issues, primarily over the refusal of the Serbian Orthodox Church to recognise the Macedonian Orthodox Church as an independent Church.
Albania/Bulgaria
Macedonian also borders Albanian and Bulgaria. Relations with both are good, although there are some issues with Bulgaria over identity: while Bulgaria recognises the territory of the Republic of Macedonia it does not recognise the nationality “Macedonian”.
Macedonia's Relations with the International Community
EU
In April 2001, Macedonia signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with EU, which entered into force three years later. A formal application for EU membership was subsequently submitted, in March 2004. Following the Commission’s recommendation, the European Council decided on 16 December 2005 to grant candidate status to the country, under the UK Presidency. Macedonia has not yet started accession negotiations with EU. In the Accession partnership for 2008, the Commission set out eight key priorities to be used as benchmarks to assess the readiness of the country to start accession negotiations. The 2008 EU Commission progress report highlighted some progress in achieving the eight benchmarks, but has also identified some serious shortcomings particularly on the political criteria and the 2008 parliamentary elections, which did not meet key international standards. As a result the Commission did not offer a date to start negotiations.
The new set of indicators under the eight benchmarks and the elections as de-facto 9th benchmark, was handed over to the Macedonian Government in April 2009. The 2009 Progress Report will be issued in October assessing the progress under these indicators. It remains to be seen whether this year Macedonia will receive a positive recommendation to start negotiations with the EU.
On 15 July the EU Commission adopted a proposal for granting visa free travel to the citizens of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. The proposal needs to be approved by the Council after consultations with the European Parliament. It will enable the citizens of these three countries to travel to the Schengen countries with the new biometric passports.
Macedonia met all the necessary conditions defined within the roadmaps presented by the Commission. It was considered a leader in the region, making extensive progress in improving passport security, strengthening border controls, reinforcing the institutional framework to fight organised crime and corruption, as well as in external relations and fundamental rights.
NATO
Macedonia is seeking NATO membership and is part of the Membership Action Plan. Allies did not extend an invitation for membership at the Bucharest Summit in April 2008, but agreed that an invitation would be offered as soon as a mutually acceptable solution was reached with Greece on the name issue. Macedonia has already provided support to NATO’s operations in Kosovo and has a company committed to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Macedonia's Relations with the UK
UK Development Assistance
- The British Embassy in Skopje works with international and local partners to implement projects that facilitate meeting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) objectives and strategic priorities. The Embassy applies for funding to the FCO in London, identifying projects that can access resources from the following funds:
The Strategic Programme Fund (SPF) promotes action on global issues in areas of strategic importance to the UK, such as political transparency and good governance, capacity building of public administration, security and justice sector reforms and promotion of human rights, as well as a functioning market economy.
- Diplomatic efforts to tackle drugs and crime are backed up, where appropriate, by funds for bilateral and multilateral project work from the FCO’s Drugs and Crime Fund (DCF).
- The Bilateral Programme Budget (BPB) is a devolved fund available for smaller scale projects in institution building, good governance and participatory and accountable democracy, minority rights, implementation of SAA requirements and European Partnerships.
Specifically, the FCO and the Embassy's project work is focused in the following areas:
Objective 1: To increase political transparency and good governance
The EU’s agreements and action plans with neighbouring countries place a strong emphasis on progress in this area. It is fundamental to political and economic development, to combat corruption, build investor confidence and pave the way for faster EU integration.
Projects need to support:
1.1 Establishment and operation of legal and institutional checks and balances that improve transparency in political and economic policy-making and implementation.
1.2 Development and use of mechanisms and skills that enable citizens to engage with elected political candidates/representatives and so participate in local and national political processes
1.3 Development and mobilisation of media capacity to act as an agent for transparency and accountability.
Objective 2: To build capacity in public administration
Co-ordination of the legislative, administrative, operational and policy work demanded by the EU integration process is a formidable challenge. Governments need to review the scale and organisation of their human and financial resources and put in place strong systems for strategic direction and communication at central, regional and local level. This is a long process that may need to be supported well before accession negotiations begin. The UK is recognised as one of the most efficient EU "operators" and its expertise is in strong demand.
Projects need to support:
2.1 Establishment of structures, mechanisms and skills, drawing on UK best practise, for an effective and politically neutral civil service including transparent recruiting on basis of merit; strengthened business planning and performance management systems; effective financial and HR management
2.2 Establishment and operation of structures, mechanisms and skills for planning and co-ordination of EU integration process.
2.3 Establishment of operation of best practice models of policy-making, service delivery and performance measurement in key areas of public administration
2.4 Mobilisation and co-ordination of players outside central government to contribute to success of EU integration process.
Objective 3: To strengthen reforms in the security and justice sector and promote human rights
This is one of the most challenging aspects of the EU harmonisation process. There is already substantial investment in this area by the EU and others, but monitoring suggests that more progress is needed. Even where legislation and institutions exist, effective implementation can be hampered by poor communication and lack of trust. Joined-up working can have a transforming effect in safeguarding human rights, reducing corruption, increasing efficiency and winning public and investor confidence. Aspects of human rights and minority rights can be particularly challenging.
Successful social inclusion is crucial in many of countries we work in if they are to achieve political and economic stability and may be fundamental to the process of integration with the EU.
Projects need to support:
3.1 Establishment of mechanisms and development of operational capacity developed to increase transparency of, and public confidence in, the judicial system, border management and law enforcement including through inter-agency and cross-border co-operation, to enhance effectiveness in combating organised and other serious crime
3.2 Development and operation of mechanisms and models and capacity building to act to reduce burdens on courts and prisons, including through inter-agency co-operation
3.3 Establishment of functioning mechanisms, and capacity building to promote inclusiveness and a voice for marginalised groups, meet international human rights standards, and safeguard rights of vulnerable groups in the justice system.
Objective 4: To strengthen economic reforms in line with the Lisbon agenda
It is important for the success and continuation of the enlargement process to try and prevent, or at least lessen, the risks of opposition to and disillusionment with reform. This can stem from the unemployment and income disparity that may accompany economic restructuring. Promoting growth, job creation, innovation and productivity - the 'Lisbon Agenda' goals - are the keys to overcoming this. For those closer to EU accession it can help create the conditions for strong economic growth and competitiveness post-accession. It is a field where the UK is known and respected for its policies.
Projects need to support:
4.1 Establishment and functioning of effective and compatible structures for regulatory impact assessment.
4.2 Strengthening of regulatory environment and delivery of training to improve the application of commercial and financial law
4.3 Development of functioning mechanisms, policies and skills in local and regional authorities to lead economic development and access EU funds
4.4. Promotion of Lisbon Agenda competitiveness goals (jobs, growth and productivity) along UK lines by at least 4 countries in projects related to innovation, skills, enterprise, labour or education
- To build capacity in public administration.
- To strengthen reforms in the justice sector and promote human rights.
- To strengthen economic reforms in line with the Lisbon Agenda.
Cultural Relations with the UK
Bilateral relations between Macedonia and UK are excellent. Macedonia and Britain signed a Cultural Agreement in 2000.
GEOGRAPHY
Bordered by Serbia including Kosovo to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south and Albania to the west. It is a land-locked mountain territory with deep valleys and basins, and has three large natural lakes. The river Vardar bisects the country.
TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Trade and Investment with the UK
Trade between the UK and Macedonia in 2007 and 2008 accounted for about €94 million. Macedonia often has a trade surplus with the UK, which is mostly due to the so called ‘lohn’ production (e.g. importing textiles and accessories, and exporting ready-made clothes for the same customer).
Major UK companies in Macedonia are Johnson Matthey (which announced the start of its operations in April), Imperial Tobacco, QBE, Mittel Still, Binani Group etc. In 2007, Crown Agents signed a major contract for consulting services with Macedonian Customs and is now negotiating its extension. UK companies’ interests are represented by the British Business Group, which has frequent contacts with the Macedonian Government and the business community.
MEDIA
Most of the Macedonian media is privately owned. Eight commercial broadcasters have concessions for national coverage: five of them are TV and three are radio stations. There are many TV and radio stations that broadcast locally and some that broadcast via satellite. There are ten daily newspapers and many weekly magazines, a couple of news agencies and many web portals. According to the 2008 International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) report on freedom of media in Europe and Eurasia, Macedonia came tenth out of 21 counties reviewed. Editorial policy and journalists can be influenced by the political and the business elite. Reporting is mostly parochial, focusing largely on domestic news.
TRAVEL SUMMARY
The vast majority of visits to Macedonia are trouble free. However, British nationals living in Macedonia or intending to travel to the northern and western border regions of Macedonia should exercise caution. Please see separate travel advice on the FCO website for more information.
RECENT VISITS
Inward
- On 25 June 2009, the Macedonian Interior Minister, Gordana Jankuloska, visited the UK. She met Daniel Fearn, Balkans Director.
- On 14 October 2008, the Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Ivica Bocevski met the Minister for Europe Caroline Flint in London
- On 28 May 2008, Marija Efremova, Macedonian Ambassador to the UK met Peter Ricketts, Permanent Under Secretary, to discuss various bilateral issues in Macedonia.
- On 22 January 2008, Lazar Elenovski, Defence Minister of Macedonia, visited the UK. He met Anthony Smith, Director of Europe.
- From 17 – 18 October 2007, Antonio Milososki, Foreign Minister of Macedonia, visited the UK. He met Jim Murphy, Minister of Europe and had formal lunch with Sir Mark Lyall Grant, Political Director.
- From 26-29 September 2005, the Prime Minister, Dr Vlado Buckovski and the Foreign Minister, Dr Ilinka Mitreva paid a working visit to the UK and met with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton.
- From 7-10 February 2005, the Chief Co-ordinator of the SDSM Parliamentary Group and President of the Communications and Information Technology Commission, Mr Jani Makraduli MP visited the UK and met with representatives from the e-government unit, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Cabinet Office, the All Party Group for Macedonia and the British Association for Central and Eastern Europe.
- From 16-19 January 2005, President of the Assembly, Mr Ljupco Jordanovski visited the UK by invitation of the Speaker to the UK Parliament, the Rt. Hon Michael Martin MP. Mr Jordanovski also visited the Welsh Assembly and met with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Select Committee and the All Party Group for Macedonia.
- On 24 March 2004, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ilinka Mitreva visited the UK for talks with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
- From 27-30 January, Deputy Prime Minister Musa Xhaferri visited London where he met minister for Europe, Dr Denis MacShane, and Belfast where he met Lord Alderdice.
- On 12 June 2003, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ilinka Mitreva visited London for talks with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
- From 10-13 March 2003, the Defence Minister, Mr Vlado Buckovski visited the UK for talks with Europe Minister Denis MacShane and Defence Minister Geoff Hoon.
- From 3-7 March 2003, the Deputy Prime Minister for Euro Atlantic Integration, Ms Radmila Sekerinska visited the UK and had talks with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
- On 22 May 2002, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Slobodan Casule visited London for talks with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
- From 12-14 September 2001, Foreign Minister, Dr Ilinka Mitreva paid a working visit to London.
- On 15 February 2001 Mr Srdjan Kerim, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited London for talks with the former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook.
- In July 2000, President Trajkovski made a successful guest-of-government visit to London, and returned in October that year to give a keynote address at the Wilton Park conference on the information society in the Balkans.
Outward
- Minister for Europe, Caroline Flint, visited Macedonia on 28 January 2009. She met President Branko Crvenkovski; Deputy Prime Minister for EU Affairs, Ivica Bocevski; Parlimentary Speaker Trajiko Veljanovski; Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary, Abdulkadar Memedi; leader of the opposition ethnic Albanian DPA, Menduh Thaci, and leader of the governing ethnic Albanian DUI, Ali Ahmeti.
- Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon, visited Macedonia from 7-8 November 2006 as part of a trip to the Western Balkans. He met Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Milososki, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Gabriela Konevska and Deputy Prime Minister for the Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement Imer Selmani.
- Minister for Europe, Douglas Alexander, visited Macedonia on 14 September 2005, as part of a trip to the Western Balkans. He met Prime Minister Buckovski, Deputy Prime Minister Sekerinska, the leading ethnic Albanian DUI MP, Ali Ahmeti and the chair of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, Teuta Arifi. Discussions focused on European integration.
- Minister for Europe Denis MacShane 25-26 October 2004
- Minister for Europe Denis MacShane 20 April 2004
- Minister for Europe Denis MacShane and Duke of Gloucester 5 March 2004 to attend funeral of the late President Boris Trajkovski
- Minister for Europe Denis MacShane 8 April 2003
- Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, 16 April 2002
- Denis MacShane, Minister responsible for the Balkans, 19 September 2001.
- Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, 3 September 2001
- Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, 30 August 2001
- Robin Cook, 5 April 2001.
POLITICS
Macedonia is a parliamentary democracy. Parliamentary elections are held every four years, when the Prime Minister is elected. The President of Macedonia is elected for a five-year term.
Macedonia held its first multi-party elections in October 1990 when it was still part of Yugoslavia. The nationalist Macedonian Internal Revolutionary Movement (VMRO) won the most seats, but a bloc including Kiro Gligorov's Social Democratic Alliance (SDSM), the Liberal Party and the Albanian Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP) held a majority. Gligorov became President of the new Republic and was re-elected as President for a five-year term in 1994. At Macedonia's third parliamentary elections in October / November 1998, the opposition VMRO/Democratic Alternative alliance won with an overall majority of 62 out of 120 seats. Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA) joined them in the governing coalition. Ljubco Georgievski, leader of VMRO, became the Prime Minister. Boris Trajkovski, who had served as Deputy Foreign Minister in Georgievski's government, was inaugurated as President on 15 December 1999. Municipal elections held in September/October 2000 were again marred by some irregularities and a number of violent incidents.
At the height of the crisis in May 2001 a broad coalition government, including the former opposition SDSM and PDP was formed. The SDSM withdrew on 20 November once parliamentary ratification of the Framework Agreement was complete. Georgievski then reconstituted his government including other minor parties.
The third Parliamentary Elections were held on 15 September 2002 and were considered to be largely fair, free and peaceful. The new government composition was a coalition of two ethnic Macedonian parties (the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)), and the main ethnic Albanian party (the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI)), a successor party to the National Liberation Army. The official turnout on the Election Day was 73.15%. SDSM and LDP led coalition 'For Macedonia Together' won 60 seats; VMRO-DPMNE and LP won 33 seats; DUI 16 seats; DPA 7 seats; PDP 2 seats; NDP 1 seat and SPM 1 seat.
Presidential elections were brought forward from the autumn to April 2004 due to the death of President Trajkovski in a plane crash on 26 February 2004. The incumbent Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski was voted in as President, and former Interior Minister Hari Kostov replaced Crvenkovski as Prime Minister. Kostov resigned on 15 November 2004 and was replaced by Vlado Buchkovski on 17 December 2004. The first round of municipal elections took place on 13 March and the second round on 27 March, with an additional second round in nine municipalities, including the city of Skopje and re-run contests in a further eleven on 10 April. The elections were held six months late due to the delayed agreement over municipal boundaries.
The fourth Parliamentary elections were held on 5 July 2006. The OSCE declared that the elections had generally met international standards despite isolated incidents during the election campaign and isolated irregularities on polling day itself. The official turnout on the Election Day itself was 56%. After a revote in some polling stations on 19 July 2006, the State Election Commission announced that the VMRO-DPMNE led coalition held 45 parliamentary seats (44 before the revote). DUI-PDP coalition – 17 (18 before the revote), SDSM led coalition – 32, DPA – 11, NSDP – 7, VMRO-National – 6 DOM N.D. PEI – 1.
Recent Political Developments
The fifth Parliamentary elections were held on 1 June 2008. These early elections were proposed by the Democratic Union for Integration after Greece vetoed Macedonia's bid to join NATO at the 2008 Bucharest summit due to their dispute over the ‘name issue’. The request was supported by the ruling coalition of VMRO–DPMNE and the Democratic Party of Albanians. This is the first time since independence in 1991 that Macedonia has held parliamentary elections early.
During the election period there were numerous security-related incidents, mainly reflecting rivalries between the two main ethnic Albanian parties, DUI and DPA. On the Election Day itself, the OSCE assessed that the key international standards were not met, as organised attempts to violently disrupt the electoral process in parts of the ethnic Albanian areas made it impossible for voters in many places to freely express their will. Due to this, voting had to be rerun in 193 polling stations (out of 2,976) on 15 June 2008. Further re-runs were also held in a handful of polling stations on 29 June.
After the re-run, the VMRO-DPMNE led coalition "For Better Macedonia" had won 63 (out of 120) parliamentary seats; SDSM led coalition "Sun-Coalition for Europe" - 27, Democratic Union for Integration (DUI [BDI in Albanian]) - 18, Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA [PDSh in Albanian]) - 11, and Party for European Future (PEI) – 1. The re-elected Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, formed a coalition with the ethnic Albanian party winning most votes, DUI. In objection to changes to some polling results from reruns, VMRO’s former coalition partner DPA decided to boycott parliament. The recent public arrest of the Deputy leader of SDSM (the main ethnic Macedonian party in Opposition) also led to them boycotting parliament.
Under current rules, the President is elected by the people. Presidential elections are held in a five-year cycle. The fifth presidential elections were held in 22 March 2009 with a second round in 5 April 2009.
According to the electoral law, the president is elected if he wins the votes of the majority of the registered voters in the first round; or, a simple majority of the votes in the second round, in which the turnout must be over 40% of the registered voters.
Presidential elections 2009 were held on the same day as Local elections. There were seven presidential candidates, six appointed by political parties and one independent. VMRO-DPMNE, appointed Gjorgje Ivanov as the party's presidential candidate; the biggest opposition party, the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, appointed the former Minister of Internal Affairs and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ljubomir Frčkoski; the Liberal Democratic Party appointed Nano Ružin; New Democracy put forward Imer Selmani; Democratic Union for Integration appointed Agron Buxhaku; Democratic Party of Albanians put forward Mirushe Hoxha; and the independent candidate was Ljube Boškoski.
According to the results of the first round, the candidate from VMRO DPMNE, Gjorgje Ivanov, and the candidate of SDSM, Ljubomir Frčkoski, qualified for the second round.
In the second round on April 5, Gjorgje Ivanov from VMRO DPMNE was elected president with 453,616 votes (63%), with Frčkoski securing 264,828 votes (37%). Since these elections, the previous President, Crvenkovski, has returned to lead the opposition SDSM party.
Under the current electoral code there are two rounds of voting in municipal elections. However, only municipalities where there is no outright winner in the first round of voting for mayor go through to a second round. Voting also takes place for members of the municipal councils, whose number is determined according to the population size of each municipality. 365 mayoral candidates stood in the 2009 municipal elections for 85 seats. 13,709 candidates stood for municipal councillor positions, of which 1391 were elected. In the overall results, VMRO DPMNE won 55 mayoral seats including the capital city of Skopje, SDSM won nine, DUI won 14, and DPA won one in Tetovo.
