The conservative opposition scored a major victory over the ruling pro-EU socialists in both presidential and parliamentary elections, marking the Macedonian Left’s biggest defeat yet.
The sovereigntist opposition candidate received twice as many votes as the incumbent socialist president, meaning a nationalist victory is all but certain in forthcoming run-off polling.
Following disastrous local elections for his party in October, Zaev announced at the end of the month that he would resign as Prime Minister, though he didn’t formally submit his resignation until December 23rd. In the meantime, he led the coalition government through the threat of a no confidence vote to reinforce their slight majority in Parliament to 64 of the 120 seats. This avoided snap elections.
