North Macedonia will clash with EU and neighbours

Significance

The right-wing Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) topped the presidential and parliamentary polls, having promised to restore national pride and tackle corruption. The party’s rhetoric has reopened cracks in North Macedonia’s relationship with its neighbours and the EU.

Impacts

• North Macedonia will likely be less stable and more open to anti-Western influences.
• A coalition government involving VMRO-DPMNE and Worth could end up divided on the issue of constitutional amendments.
• North Macedonia’s electorate will be increasingly polarised between pro- and anti-EU forces.