Skopje, 20 October 2025 (MIA) – VMRO-DPMNE and its coalition won a total of 53 municipalities in Sunday’s first round of local elections, Vlen coalition won 9, SDSM and its coalition 8, the National Alliance for Integration (NAI) 5, while ZNAM Movement, the Democratic Party of Turks, the Roma Union, Mendi Kjura, and Azem Sadiki each won one municipality.

According to preliminary results from the State Election Commission, with 99.94% of votes processed, VMRO-DPMNE mayoral candidates won in Aerodrom, Berovo, Bitola, Bosilevo, Brvenica, Butel, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Vevchani, Veles, Vinica, Gazi Baba, Gevgelija, Gjorche Petrov, Gradsko, Debarca, Delchevo, Demir Kapija, Demir Hisar, Dojran, Zelenikovo, Zrnovci, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Kavadarci, Karbinci, Karposh, Kisela Voda, Kichevo, Kochani, Konche, Kratovo, Mavrovo and Rostushe (no threshold), Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Petrovec, Pehchevo, Prilep, Probistip, Radovish, Rankovce, Resen, Sveti Nikole, Sopishte, Staro Nagorichane, Strumica, Cheshinovo-Obleshevo, and Shtip.

SDSM and its coalition won the most votes in the municipalities of Bogdanci, Kriva Palanka, Krivogashtani, Krushevo, Lozovo, Rosoman, Centar, and Chucher Sandevo.

Vlen coalition candidates secured victories in Arachinovo, Bogovinje, Debar, Dolneni, Zhelino, Saraj, Tearce, Tetovo, and Chair municipalities.

The candidates of the National Alliance for Integration (NAI) received the most votes in Vrapchishte, Gostivar, Lipkovo, Plasnica and Chashka.

ZNAM candidate Maksim Dimitrievski won the most votes in Kumanovo, Kurto Dudush of the Roma Union in Shuto Orizari, independent candidates Mendi Kjura and Azem Sadiki in Struga and Studenichani, and Democratic Party of Turks candidate Arijan Ibraim in Centar Zhupa.

The first round must be repeated in Centar Zhupa, Mavrovo and Rostushe and Vrapchishte, as the required voting threshold of one-third of registered voters was not reached.

In the first round of voting for mayor, the candidate who receives the majority of votes from those who voted is elected, provided that at least one-third of the total number of registered voters in the electoral roll for the respective municipality participated in the election. If less than one-third of registered voters in the municipality or the City of Skopje vote in the first round, the entire electoral process is repeated.

If no candidate for mayor receives the required majority in the first round, a second round is held between the two candidates who received the most votes. The second round takes place within 14 days of the conclusion of the first round. In the second round, the candidate who receives the higher number of votes is elected mayor.

If, for any reason, a mayor is not elected even after the second round, the election commission must notify the Government within 15 days of the conclusion of the elections.

Council members are elected in the first round using a proportional model, with seats allocated according to the D’Hondt method.

The second round of the local elections will be held on November 2.

Photo: MIA