What president does North Macedonia need? This is the main question in this election campaign. Among the candidates there are different promises, slogans and different forms to attract the voter. Some promise entry into the EU, some want to make North Macedonia proud and restore its dignity, some promise an uncompromising fight against corruption and criminality.
The campaign of the candidate for president from the Macedonian opposition VMRO-DPMNE Gordana Siljanovska Davkova has been based on promises to restore Macedonian pride. "You can change everything, but never the motherland. It's not by chance that we were born in Macedonia, this is where the energy comes from to make the country stronger, more loving and more competitive. Only in this way can we ensure respect in the international arena," Siljanovska said. Davkova. She has promised to commit to reconciliation and unity, as well as to new alliances, without specifying what they are.
"We have seen where the divisions took us. They made this country look like a gladiator arena. Others are not our enemies, but partners, for any issue," Silkjanovska Davkova assessed.
The current president, Stevo Pendarovski, who is running with the support of the ruling Social-Democratic League, has said that if he takes the presidency again, he will continue to treat all citizens equally, regardless of their nation or religion. I will continue to cooperate and respect young people, said Pendarovski.
"In the coming weeks, citizens will be faced with the same dilemmas as many years ago, to give their trust to pseudo-patriots or those who showed that they know and can position North Macedonia in the right place. Those who know to protect state interests in the world, where the big ones dictate the rules", stated Stevo Pendarovski.
Osmani: Citizens deserve the European future
Bujar Osmani, candidate for president supported by the European Front, said at the promotion rally that European integration is the main "pillar" of his program. "I am very clear in the new perspectives of where we should focus to removed the barriers that still keep us out of the path of progress and development that the 21st century offers. My commitment to these is and will be unbreakable. Our people, our children deserve the European future. We owe it to them to build it and I promise you that we will build it", said Osmani.
Taravari: Integration in the EU is our goal
The candidate of the Albanian opposition, Arben Taravari, in the presentation of the presidential program, said that his priority is to change the Constitution for the inclusion of the Bulgarian minority in it, which is the criterion for the country's integration into the EU.
"Integration in the EU is our indisputable goal. We will ask for a guarantee from the high representative of the EU that after the constitutional changes, there will be no additional demands for North Macedonia beyond the negotiation framework of 2022. The mandate for the formation of the government will "the party or parties that prove that they have the majority in the Assembly are trusted by asking the representative for a plan for the implementation of constitutional changes", said Taravari.
The candidate for president from the Left Biljana Vankovska has promised that her campaign will be completely opposite from her opponents. It promises the return of Macedonian dignity.
Candidate Maksim Dimitrievski started the campaign symbolically from Krusheva, where I promise that his voice and energy will be focused on strengthening defense, security, institutions and citizens in general.
GROM candidate Stefçe Jakimovski has promised that if he wins the presidential race, he will never divide citizens on ethnic or religious grounds. Every citizen will have a true protector in me, said Jakimovski.
In the first round, the candidate who wins over 50 percent of the votes from the total number of voters, which reaches 1.8 million voters, can be elected president./ DW