On Wednesday in Northern Macedonia, a presidential election is taking place, a country that has been seeking to join the European Union for almost two decades.
The second round of voting is almost unlikely to avoid May 8, at the same time as the parliamentary elections, since no candidate goes forward with the result necessary for winning - 50%.
Among the seven candidates who are running for a predominantly ritual position, the campaign was focused on joining the EU, the rule of law, the fight against corruption and the reduction of poverty.
The last survey from the Center for Political Research and Communications showed that Gordana Silyanovskaya Davkova, supported by the opposition, is ahead of the current President Stevo Penarovsky by 3.6%.
The 61-year-old Penarovsky is running for the second term with the support of the leadership of the Social Democrats of the country, while 70-year-old Silyanovskaya Davkov is supported by the main centering opposition coalition of VMRO-DPMNE.
Candidates have different views on how to resolve the issue related to the pressure of neighboring Bulgaria regarding the recognition of the Bulgarian ethnic minority in the Constitution. Bulgaria has stated that it would block the efforts of Northern Macedonia to join the EU if it does not happen.
Other candidates include Professor Bilyan Vankovskaya from the left party of Levitsa and two representatives of the ethnic Albanian minority.
In Northern Macedonia, 1.8 million voters were registered with a total of 2.3 million.
Polling stations will operate from 7:00 to 19:00 local time, without exit surveys, and the first results are expected on Thursday. Northern Macedonia, together with Albania, has started negotiations on EU membership in 2022 and has been a candidate for admission since 2005. One of the necessary membership criteria is the recognition of the Bulgarian ethnic minority in the constitution, which is an acute topic in the country.
