In a late Sunday vote, North Macedonia's center-right leader, aged 46, received parliamentary approval to lead a new coalition government. The leader faces significant challenges in his four-year term, particularly in advancing the country's efforts to join the European Union, a goal that has been a long-standing priority for the small Balkan NATO member.
The leader's party, VMRO-DPMNE, which won the May national elections, secured 58 seats, three short of a governing majority. To form a government, the leader struck a deal with an ethnic Albanian and a leftist party, totaling 20 seats.
The new government received approval from 77 lawmakers out of the 120-seat house, with 22 voting against and 21 absent during the ballot. The leader, a former engineering professor, has pledged to continue the efforts of his center-left predecessors in steering North Macedonia towards EU membership.
However, the leader's party's nationalist stance, particularly its questioning of key agreements with neighboring Bulgaria and Greece, could pose challenges to the EU accession process. Political analysts have noted that demands for a reinterpretation of these agreements may face resistance from the international community, which views them as settled deals.
Domestically, the leader aims to address issues such as strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, alleviating poverty, and revitalizing the economy. Promises have been made to cut taxes, increase pensions, achieve 5% economic growth this year, and limit inflation to 2.5%.
North Macedonia's path to EU membership, which began negotiations in 2022 along with Albania, is expected to be a lengthy process. The leader's administration will need to navigate both domestic and international challenges to fulfill its ambitious agenda.
