North Macedonia’s opposition party, VMRO-DPMNE has claimed victory in most of the country communes during the second round of voting for the 2021 local elections.

According to preliminary data from the party’s headquarters, independent candidate – who had the support of VMRO as well as the Albanian opposition –  Danella Arsovska has won in Skopje.

“The massive turnout was the response to the government’s dark campaign on Sunday. A sad day for the non-democratic government of Zoran Zaev, and a strong day for the will of the people that voted for change and a new future,”- said Marija Miteva from VMRO-DPMNE.

The State Elections Commission praised the electoral process during these runoffs, calling them democratic and orderly.