Newcomer Challenges Old Parties’ Grip on North Macedonia’s Capital

The November 2 runoff in Skopje, the prize in this year’s local elections, is shaping up to be a litmus test of the mood of an electorate that seems weary of long-standing political stagnation. For the past three decades, the capital, home to...

Ethnic Albanian party in North Macedonia seeks early vote

SKOPJE, Oct. 24 (TemA) — The head of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), Ali Ahmeti, said North Macedonia should hold early parliamentary elections “without delay,” citing his party’s success in recent local polls. Speaking after a meeting...

Rescuing Lake Prespa through cross-border activism

"Three countries, two lakes, one destination," says Greek environmentalist Mirsini Malakou, who has worked toward this vision in the Balkans for 30 years. Malakou is head of the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP), a Greek non-governmental...

In North Macedonia, Albanian-Run Festival Thrives as ‘Bridge Between Cultures’

In the town of Tetovo, at the foot of the Sharr Mountains in North Macedonia, languages from across the world resound around the local cultural centre, the venue of the Ditet e Naimit (Days of Naim) international poetry festival, named in honour...

Rescuing Lake Prespa through crossborder activism

"Three countries, two lakes, one destination," says Greek environmentalist Mirsini Malakou, who has worked toward this vision in the Balkans for 30 years. Malakou is head of the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP), a Greek non-governmental...

Secularism or Militant Marxism? The Debate on Religious Education in North Macedonia

By Nun Euphemia Zajkovska The question of introducing religious education in public schools in the Republic of North Macedonia has been a long-standing and unresolved issue, revealing fundamental challenges in the understanding and application of...

North Macedonia’s right-wing VMRO-DPMNE heading for sweeping victory in local elections

North Macedonia’s ruling right-wing VMRO-DPMNE party, led by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, appears to be on the verge of a landslide victory in the October 19 local elections, securing mayoral wins in numerous key municipalities in the first...

North Macedonia, Italian Embassy at the Student Fair

On Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, the Italian Embassy participated in the Student Fair organized by the European Delegation at the Europe House in Strumica and the StudyAbroad fair organized by the Educational Advising Center at the...

North Macedonia Ruling Party Celebrates Triumph in Local Elections

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister and leader of the ruling VMRO DPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski, speaks at a press conference in his party’s headquarters in Skopje, October 19, 2025. Photo: EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI. The ruling VMRO DPMNE party won local...

81st Anniversary of Bulgaria's Participation in Final Stage of WWII Commemorated in North Macedonia

The 81st anniversary of Bulgaria’s participation in the final stage of World War II was commemorated near Stracin, in the eastern part of the Republic of North Macedonia. A priest from North Macedonia's orthodox church offered a prayer in honour...

Türkiye to submit cultural route proposal to Council of Europe

NEVŞEHİR Türkiye is set to propose its homegrown cultural route to the Council of Europe, marking the first time the country has submitted its own cultural route for certification under the Cultural Routes program. If approved, the "Evliya Çelebi...

Skopje’s Waste Pile-Up Becomes Key Issue in Local Election Campaign

A waste collection crisis in Skopje has entered the local election campaign between the two rounds of municipal voting, after overflowing rubbish containers and piles of uncollected waste triggered public concern and political recriminations,...

Ruling Alliance Emerges Strengthened From North Macedonia’s Local Elections

North Macedonia’s governing parties have a double reason to celebrate the results of Sunday’s first round of local elections. First, the main ruling centre-right VMRO DPMNE party of Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expectedly crushed its main...

North Macedonia, Amb. Palminteri at evening of culinary excellence

Meeting of gastronomic excellence in Strumica, North Macedonia, where Italian Ambassador Paolo Palminteri attended a gala evening at the Tsar Samuil hotel, accompanied by consular correspondent Dafina Pandeva. The event, passionately organized by...

Bulgaria Urges Hungary To Push North Macedonia on Constitutional Reforms

Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev urged Hungary to persuade North Macedonia to adopt constitutional changes as a prerequisite for EU membership. Speaking after a meeting with Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok, Radev emphasized that Bulgaria...

North Macedonia votes: EU stalemate overshadows local issues

Voters across North Macedonia will head to the polls Sunday for local elections seen as a key test of the ruling government's strength — and of the country's patience with a prolonged blockade on its path to European Union (EU) membership....

Close contests in Albanian areas as North Macedonians vote

SKOPJE, Oct. 19 — Voting continued Sunday across North Macedonia, with close races in Albanian-majority areas drawing most attention. Turnout was steady by midday, with long lines in Tetovo, Gostivar and Kičevo — key battlegrounds between the...

North Macedonia’s Ruling Party Eyes Landslide Win in Local Elections

After winning general and presidential elections in 2024, the ruling VMRO DPMNE party is now poised to extend its dominance in North Macedonia to municipal level. VMRO DPMNE’s narrative has been relentless, accusing the opposition Social...

North Macedonia heads to local elections amid promises, unfinished projects and city challenges

North Macedonia is in the midst of a pre-election period characterised by a flurry of promises from politicians, ranging from infrastructure investments to tackling environmental issues, as the country prepares for its upcoming local elections on...

Quality-of-Life Issues Dominate BIRN Debates for North Macedonia Albanians

Bajram Rexhepi of the National Alliance for Integration (left) and Bilall Kasami of Vlen face off in one of the BIRN debates ahead of local elections in North Macedonia. Photo: BIRN. North Macedonia’s local elections this weekend are the focus of...