Macedonia Presidential Election - March 22, 2009

[Tender Branson]

Presidential elections will be held in the Republic of Macedonia on 22 March 2009, at the same time as local elections. The incumbent president Branko Crvenkovski (Social Democratic Union of Macedonia) has announced he will not stand for re-election. A runoff will be held on 5 April, if necessary.

The candidates running for President are:

* Gjorgje Ivanov, VMRO-DPMNE
* Ljubomir Frčkoski, Social Democratic Union of Macedonia
* Nano Ružin, Liberal Democratic Party
* Ljube Boškoski, independent
* Agron Buxhaku, Democratic Union for Integration
* Mirushe Hoxha, Democratic Party of Albanians
* Imer Selmani, New Democracy

A poll from shortly before the election saw Ivanov leading with 23.1% before Selmani with 13.3% and Frčkovski at 9.7%; 23.9% were undecided.

[Tender Branson]

Results (83.27% of precincts reporting):

* Gjorgje Ivanov, VMRO-DPMNE (35.4%) -> RUNOFF
* Ljubomir Frčkoski, Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (20.1%) -> RUNOFF

* Ljube Boškoski, independent (15.1%)
* Imer Selmani, New Democracy (15.0%)
* Agron Buxhaku, Democratic Union for Integration (7.6%)
* Nano Ružin, Liberal Democratic Party (3.7%)
* Mirushe Hoxha, Democratic Party of Albanians (3.2%)

http://www.sec.mk:90/2009/fajlovi/rezultati/EN_pretsedatel_0500.pdf

[minionofmidas]

Big lead for Ivanov, but well away from first round victory. Exactly as advertised beforehand.

[Hash]

Two polls show a huge lead for Ivanov: one sez 61%, the other sez 64.8%. It looks like a sizable number of Albanians will vote for Ivanov, strangely enough.