The leading opposition party in Macedonia said Sunday that it will not recognize the result of snap parliamentary elections and a presidential run-off vote, claiming that the ruling VMRO party violated election rules. “The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and its allies will not recognize the election process, parliamentary and presidential,” SDSM leader Zoran Zaev said after polling stations closed. Zaev dismissed the official assessment by the state election commission that the vote was “fair and democratic,” insisting that Prime Minister Gruevski‘s conservative VMRO party abused their authority to secure a win. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski “does not have the elementary will to hold democratic elections,” he said, adding that the opposition will seek a repeat of the elections because violations disqualified Sunday‘s results.
“Macedonian citizens were tricked, there are no elementary conditions for an election process – it was carried out in an uncivilized manner, usurping the citizens‘ constitutional right,” Zaev said.
Gruevski, who has held office since 2006, is expected to be re-elected. Pollsters predicted a landslide win for VMRO in parliamentary elections as well, and a triumph for VMRO presidential candidate and incumbent Gorgi Ivanov.
Earlier Sunday the election commission estimated voter turnout at around 53,23 per cent.
Full Article: 1ST Macedonian opposition threatens to boycott elections result By Boris Babic, dpa | EUROPE ONLINE.