Skopje, 11 January 2026 (MIA) – The victory of VMRO-DPMNE’s candidate for mayor of the Municipality of Mavrovo Rostushe, Oner Jakupovski, at the repeat elections is not just a local result, but a clear political message that the citizens recognize work, presence on the ground, and responsibility, a message that it is not empty words that are being rewarded, but results, VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said at a press conference late on Sunday after announcing that the party’s candidate has defeated his opponent from SDSM with twice as many votes, or by a difference of more than 1.000 votes.

According to Mickoski, the victory is a result of the concept the party has been building, one of “humility, lots of work, and real solutions for the daily lives of the citizens”.

“In the other municipalities, the electoral race was contested between candidates from other political parties. The overall political picture is more than clear – with today’s outcome, the results of the local elections as a whole are concluded. VMRO-DPMNE won in a total of 56 municipalities in Macedonia, SDSM in six. This is no coincidence, it is a clear political judgment by the citizens,” Mickoski said.

The Prime Minister assessed that the repeat elections held on Sunday in four municipalities in the country passed in a democratic, peaceful and dignified atmosphere.

“This is a clear and unequivocal confirmation of the country’s democratic capacity and an important investment in its stability. These elections have shown that the institutions are functioning and that the democratic processes are strengthening. At a time of serious regional and global challenges, this is a value that must be protected and upgraded regardless of the political differences,” Mickoski said at the press conference.

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