North Macedonia’s ruling conservative party VMRO-DPMNE strengthened its hold on power in Sunday’s local elections, winning control of 21 municipalities including the capital Skopje, in a contest that underscored its dominance over a fragmented opposition.
Preliminary results from the State Election Commission (SEC) showed VMRO-DPMNE expanding its influence across both urban and rural areas, while the opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) managed to secure just three municipalities.
The Worth (Vredi) coalition — an alliance of ethnic Albanian parties that emerged as a growing political force — won in four municipalities. The National Alliance for Integration (NAI), the movement ZNAM, and independent candidates each secured a handful of local victories.
Ruling party consolidates control over Skopje and beyond
VMRO-DPMNE’s candidate Orce Gjorgjievski won the mayoral race in the capital Skopje with 57% of the vote, defeating Amar Mecinovic from the leftist Levica party, who garnered 36%. The party also captured key urban districts including Karposh and Aerodrom, along with several municipalities in the country’s east and southeast.
“Tonight we begin a new chapter — a time for order, vision and work,” said Karposh’s mayor-elect Sotir Lukrovski, after defeating former mayor Stevcho Jakimovski.
In Kichevo, VMRO-DPMNE’s Aleksandar Jovanovski beat Fatmir Dehari from the ethnic Albanian opposition – National Alliance for Integration (NAI), while the party also secured victories in Valandovo, Negotino, Dojran and Kochani.
Albanian coalition Worth gains momentum
The Worth (Vredi) coalition, which has sought to unite Albanian voters across party lines, made significant gains, winning in Tetovo, Bogovinje, Debar and Dolneni. Tetovo’s mayor Biljal Kasami secured re-election with about 5,000 votes more than his rival from NAI, Bajram Redzepi.
“With these results, Worth becomes the second political force in the country,” said Bashkim Bakiu, a senior official from the coalition, noting a shift in the Albanian political landscape that has long been dominated by DUI of Ali Ahmeti, who now leads the coalition NAI.
In Debar, Worth’s candidate Fisnik Melja defeated independent contender Ramadan Imeri, while independent candidate Mendi Qyra won in Struga.
Opposition struggles to retain influence
The opposition SDSM retained control of only three municipalities — Centar in central Skopje, Makedonska Kamenica and Zrnovci. Centar’s incumbent mayor, Goran Gerasimovski, narrowly won re-election with 10,429 votes against Miroslav Labudovic from ZNAM.
ZNAM’s leader Maksim Dimitrievski secured a third mandate in Kumanovo, while Marija Naceva of VMRO-DPMNE became the first woman elected as mayor of Negotino.
Smooth vote, low turnout
Interior Minister Pance Toshkovski described the elections as “peaceful, fair and democratic,” saying there were no major incidents. Police received 30 complaints, mostly for campaigning near polling stations and alleged vote buying, but most were unconfirmed.
Turnout was lower than in the first round, reflecting public fatigue with local politics. The final results will be announced once all ballots are processed, the SEC said.
The outcome reinforces VMRO-DPMNE’s dominance ahead of the next parliamentary elections expected in 2026, giving the party a stronger local base as it faces challenges over economic stagnation, corruption and slow progress toward European Union membership.