North Macedonia elections and politics (presidential & legislative elections May 8 2024)

[Duke of York]

Is it fair to say Siljanovska Davkova is favored in the runoff?

[Duke of York]

Is it fair to say Siljanovska Davkova is favored in the runoff?

Yes. A March second round poll had Siljanovska Davkova: 55.8% Pendarovski: 44.2%

Meanwhile: "The Democratic Union for Integration, which represents ethnic Albanians and is led by former Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, offered its support in the second round to any candidate who supports having the President selected by the Assembly of North Macedonia in future elections, in the hopes of having an ethnic Albanian attaining the office. However, both Pendarovski and Siljanovska-Davkova have dismissed the proposal, saying it is democratic for the Presidency to be selected through direct voting."

I have to agree. I think Presidents should be directly elected even if the position is largely ceremonial.

[Duke of York]

VMRO-DPMNE are already crowing about a landslide win, certainly in the presidential, but also in the parliamentary election.

It seems that the last minute SDSM instruction to abstain from voting in the presidential election didn't reach enough people in time. Holding turnout below the 40% required by the constitution would have meant a re-do, but even with not all of the precincts reporting, the number of voters in the presidential election has reached 46% (with some 54% voting for parliament). Gordana Siljanovska is as good as elected.

For parliament, it is too early to say for sure, but VMRO-DPMNE are on track for a majority and SDSM may fall to historic lows.

What good does telling people not to vote do?

[Duke of York]

VMRO-DPMNE are already crowing about a landslide win, certainly in the presidential, but also in the parliamentary election.

It seems that the last minute SDSM instruction to abstain from voting in the presidential election didn't reach enough people in time. Holding turnout below the 40% required by the constitution would have meant a re-do, but even with not all of the precincts reporting, the number of voters in the presidential election has reached 46% (with some 54% voting for parliament). Gordana Siljanovska is as good as elected.

For parliament, it is too early to say for sure, but VMRO-DPMNE are on track for a majority and SDSM may fall to historic lows.

What good does telling people not to vote do?

the election is invalid if turnout goes below 40%.

and even if it was wouldn't it be reheld with the same candidates?