The issue of national identity is taken seriously by Balkan people – including the least serious among them.
Macedonian Local Elections: A History
1996
The first democratic local elections since Macedonia gained independence in 1991 were held after new municipal borders were drawn, diving the country into 123 municipalities, including the capital, Skopje.
A coalition led by the Social Democrats mayoral elections in 51 municipalities but mostly in the smaller ones. The coalition led by VMRO DPMNE won 29, including the most important seat, Skopje. Risto Penov,a Liberal Democrat endorsed by VMRO DPMNE, became mayor of Skopje. The Socialist Party won 10 while the other 33 municipalities elected mayors from the smaller parties.
2000
The ruling coalition led by VMRO DPMNE won 59 of 124 mayors’ seats. The Social Democrat-led coalition won 33, including Skopje. The Liberal Democrat Risto Penov, this time endorsed by the Social Democrats, again won in Skopje.
The Party for Democratic Prosperity of the Albanians, PDPA and National Democratic Party, NDP, in coalition, won 24 while the Party for Democratic Prosperity, PDP won only three.
The Turkish Democratic Party, United Party of the Roma in Macedonia, and Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia got one mayor’s seat each, while two mayors were elected as independent candidates.
The election was marred by violence in some regions, causing reruns in several municipalities.
2005
This was the first poll held after new municipal borders drawn, following the 2001 Ohrid accord that envisaged a greater degree of decentralization. The number of municipalities was cut to 82, plus Skopje.
In the capital, an independent candidate, Trifun Kosotovski, endorsed by VMRO DPNME was elected mayor, beating Risto Penov.
A coalition led by Social Democrats won 36 mayors’ seats and the coalition led by VMRO DPMNE won 21.
Among the ethnic Albanian parties, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, crushed the rival Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA, winning 13 seats compared to the DPA’s two.
VMRO –People’s Party won in three municipalities the Roma Alliance of Macedonia won one and six independent candidates were elected.
The first democratic local elections since Macedonia gained independence in 1991 were held after new municipal borders were drawn, diving the country into 123 municipalities, including the capital, Skopje.
A coalition led by the Social Democrats mayoral elections in 51 municipalities but mostly in the smaller ones. The coalition led by VMRO DPMNE won 29, including the most important seat, Skopje. Risto Penov,a Liberal Democrat endorsed by VMRO DPMNE, became mayor of Skopje. The Socialist Party won 10 while the other 33 municipalities elected mayors from the smaller parties.
2000
The ruling coalition led by VMRO DPMNE won 59 of 124 mayors’ seats. The Social Democrat-led coalition won 33, including Skopje. The Liberal Democrat Risto Penov, this time endorsed by the Social Democrats, again won in Skopje.
The Party for Democratic Prosperity of the Albanians, PDPA and National Democratic Party, NDP, in coalition, won 24 while the Party for Democratic Prosperity, PDP won only three.
The Turkish Democratic Party, United Party of the Roma in Macedonia, and Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia got one mayor’s seat each, while two mayors were elected as independent candidates.
The election was marred by violence in some regions, causing reruns in several municipalities.
2005
This was the first poll held after new municipal borders drawn, following the 2001 Ohrid accord that envisaged a greater degree of decentralization. The number of municipalities was cut to 82, plus Skopje.
In the capital, an independent candidate, Trifun Kosotovski, endorsed by VMRO DPNME was elected mayor, beating Risto Penov.
A coalition led by Social Democrats won 36 mayors’ seats and the coalition led by VMRO DPMNE won 21.
Among the ethnic Albanian parties, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, crushed the rival Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA, winning 13 seats compared to the DPA’s two.
VMRO –People’s Party won in three municipalities the Roma Alliance of Macedonia won one and six independent candidates were elected.
