SKOPJE (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA) - North Macedonia's pro-West candidate announced a victory over his nationalist-backed rival in a tight presidential run-off Sunday, giving a boost to a government that had divided the public by changing the country's name. North Macedonians have not shown huge interest in the presidential electionThe ruling Social Democrats' candidate, Stevo Pendarovski, captured 51.75 percent of the vote, with nearly all the ballots counted according to the state electoral commission. "I will be a president for all of the citizens, no matter who they voted for," Pendarovski told a crowd chanting "Stevo! The opposition-backed candidate, Siljanovska-Davkova, was also critical of the deal. - Albanian vote -Pendarovki's win is a "firm forward for the European integrations," said Macedonia-based analyst Albert Musliu .

Source: Bangkok Post May 06, 2019 00:45 UTC