Campaign Period and Electoral Overview
The campaign for North Macedonia's local elections, set for October 19, 2025, officially commenced on September 29, 2025, and is slated to conclude on October 17, 2025, followed by a 24-hour pre-election silence period. A potential second round of mayoral elections is scheduled for November 2. These elections will see citizens elect mayors and councilors in 80 municipalities and the City of Skopje, which holds a special status with 10 municipalities.
A total of 309 candidates are competing for 81 mayoral positions, while 10,490 candidates are listed across 576 slates for municipal council seats. The State Election Commission has finalized the voter list, which includes 1,832,415 registered voters. Voting will take place at 3,480 polling stations nationwide. The overall budget allocated for these elections is approximately €9.76 million, with a significant portion dedicated to media and political advertising.
Key Political Players and Competitive Races
The electoral landscape is dominated by several major political entities. In the Macedonian political bloc, the ruling VMRO-DPMNE and the opposition SDSM are the primary contenders, alongside the Levica party. The Albanian political bloc features the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), the VLEN coalition, and the National Alliance for Integration (NAI), among others.
The race for the Mayor of Skopje is particularly competitive, with 18 candidates vying for the capital's top position. Prominent candidates include Orce Gjorgjievski (VMRO-DPMNE), Kaja Shukova (SDSM), Amar Mecinovic (Levica), Bashkim Bakiu (VLEN), Skender Rexhepi (NAI/DUI-led), and Aleksandar Trajanovski (GROM). Intense competition is also anticipated in municipalities with significant Albanian populations, such as Cair, Tetovo, Gostivar, and Sarai.
Campaign Themes and Broader Context
Campaign activities involve public rallies, media appearances, online engagement, and the distribution of promotional materials. However, analysts have noted that local issues, such as infrastructure, hygiene, and environmental concerns, are often overshadowed by national topics like EU integration and relations with Bulgaria. The campaign environment is characterized by a polarized atmosphere, with concerns raised about distrust in institutions, perceptions of widespread corruption, and tensions related to national identity and ethnic representation.
The elections are viewed as a crucial test of political strength for both the ruling coalition and the opposition, potentially influencing the landscape for future parliamentary elections. Recent political developments, including the withdrawal of the Alliance for Albanians (AA) from the government coalition, have added another layer of complexity to the political dynamics leading up to the vote. The Electoral Code mandates adherence to fair election standards, prohibiting pressure on public administration employees and the use of hate speech.
5 Comments
Leonardo
Local elections are crucial for our communities. Let's elect people who care about our streets, not just national politics.
Michelangelo
It's encouraging to see the democratic process in action with so many voters registered, yet the widespread distrust in institutions and perceptions of corruption are deeply troubling. We need more than just elections; we need genuine accountability.
Raphael
While the Electoral Code prohibits hate speech and pressure, the highly polarized atmosphere and tensions around national identity are concerning. Elections should unite communities around common goals, not further divide them along ethnic or political lines.
Africa
Another election, same old promises. Nothing will truly change with these politicians.
Coccinella
The high budget for these elections is understandable given the need for public awareness, but one has to wonder if such funds are truly reaching their intended purpose or if some are lost to inefficiencies. Transparency is key.