Macedonia’s nationalists, Social Democrats, almost tied in parliamentary vote

After parliamentary elections in Macedonia on the 11 December 2016 the two strongest parties both claimed victory. With 38.1% of the vote the national conservative ruling party VMRO had a narrow lead over the opposition social democratic SDSM, with 36.7%.

Commentators fear a protracted stalemate in Macedonia.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Macedonian parliamentary election, 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/macedonian-parliamentary-election-2016/

Politico, 12.12.16: Opposition, ruling party both claim victory in Macedonia election http://www.politico.eu/article/vmro-social-democrats-macedonia-election-results/

BBC News, 12.12.16: Macedonia election: Conservatives edge ahead as votes counted http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38284976

Deutsche Welle, 12.12.16: Ruling conservatives win narrowly in Macedonian elections http://dw.com/p/2U7JV

Balkan Insight, 12.12.16: Both Main Parties Claim Election Victory in Macedonia http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/tight-election-finish-in-macedonia-12-12-2016

Euro|Topics: Debates, December 2016: Stalemate after elections in Macedonia http://www.eurotopics.net/en/171134/stalemate-after-elections-in-macedonia

Politico, 13.12.16: Macedonian opposition rejects election result http://www.politico.eu/article/macedonian-opposition-rejects-election-result/

BBC News, 12.12.16: Macedonia election: Conservatives win fragile parliamentary majority http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38288433

Balkan Insight, 13.12.16: Rivals’ Gains Overshadow DUI’s ‘Win’ in Macedonia http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/rivals-gains-overshadow-dui-s-win-in-macedonia-12-13-2016

EU: EEAS: Statement, 12.12.16: Joint Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn on the early parliamentary elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/16997/

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