2025 North Macedonian local elections North Macedonians vote in the second round of the local elections for councillors and mayors of 80 municipalities and Skopje ...

North Macedonia's ruling conservatives cemented victory in a local election runoff on Sunday, winning just over two-thirds of the mayoral contests in both rounds, leaving opposition Social Democrats far behind and dashing their hopes of an early general election.

Hristijan Mickoski, center, the leader of the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party applauds in front of the party headquarters after announcing a “great” victory in the local elections, in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Sunday, Nov.

A woman holding a baby casts her ballot in the runoff local elections, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Sunday, Nov.

A member of the electoral commission prepares a ballot for voting in the runoff local elections, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Sunday, Nov.

A woman holding ballots helps a man with impaired vision walk to the ballot boxes during the runoff local elections, at a polling station in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Sunday, Nov.

Supporters of the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party wave party flags and the old national flag as the leader Hristijan Mickoski announces a “great” victory in the local elections, at the party headquarters in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Sunday, Nov.

SKOPJE, North Macedonia () — North Macedonia ’s ruling conservatives cemented victory in a local election runoff on Sunday, winning just over two-thirds of the mayoral contests in two rounds of voting, leaving opposition Social Democrats far behind and dashing their hopes of an early general election.

According to the State electoral commission, with nearly 99 % of ballots counted for both rounds, the ruling conservative VMRO-DPMNE party has won 55 mayoral contests, including in the capital Skopje, while the opposition Social Democrats got only six mayors.

North Macedonia has 81 municipalities, of which 37 were contested in Sunday’s runoff.

Conservative candidates had already won 33 out of 44 contests decided in the first round two weeks ago.

VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski announced at party headquarters a “great, great” victory before hundreds of celebrating supporters.

“If anyone had any doubts, the people have shown that (North) Macedonia is yours again.

This is a victory of hope for a better future,” Mickoski said.

“These elections are a clear roadmap for the party and what changes need to be undertaken,” the Social Democrats’ leader Venko Filipche said.

The political importance lies in whether the issue moves from public comment into formal action, party response, court record, election authority notice or administrative decision.

For public institutions and political groups, the next test is whether the issue remains a public argument or turns into a formal response, legal proceeding, administrative instruction or election-related communication.