Macedonian parliamentary election, 2006
Encyclopedia
Parliamentary elections were in the Republic of Macedonia
on 5 July 2006. The winner was the coalition led by the centre-right VMRO-DPMNE.
and the Democratic Party of Albanians
. The situation was seen as seriously tarnishing the international reputation of the country. As the confrontations between the ethnic Albanian parties intensified, a diplomatic offensive from Western officials took place to put an end to the irregularities. These efforts were supported by the ethnic Macedonian parties, but also by calls from the Albanian and Kosovan
prime ministers. The situation within the Albanian bloc didn't seem to improve much and, moreover, on 22 June 2006 in the center of Skopje
, a clash between the two major ethnic Macedonian parties (VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM) also took place.
The representatives of the EU and the United States
continued with their efforts to stop the irregularities. NATO warned it over pre-election violence or risk delays the country's ambitions to join the military alliance. (NATO intervention in 2001 helped prevent ethnic conflict developing into full-scale civil war.) Problems within the Macedonian bloc stopped immediately, and incidents between the Albanian parties also progressively stopped. The last week of the election campaign was calm, with almost no incidents.
There were no major problems on the election day (5 July 2006), with only minor irregularities in the Western part of the country. The counting of the votes also passed almost without any objections. The government of the Republic of Macedonia, the EU and the United States
dubbed the elections "a success".
The results showed a clear victory for the coalition led by the centre-right opposition party VMRO-DPMNE, obtaining 45 of the 120 seats in the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia. The coalition of its centre-left political opponent, SDSM, won 35 seats. The majority of Albanian votes were given to the DUI
- PDP
coalition (17 seats), while DPA
won 11 seats. Other parties that won seats in the Parliament include: NSDP
(7 seats), VMRO-NP (6 seats), DOM
(1 seat), PEI
(1 seat).
After unsuccessful negotiations between VMRO-DPMNE and DUI considering the structure of the new government, Nikola Gruevski
decided to form a government with the Democratic Party of Albanians
. After a tough negotiation process (especially between VMRO-DPMNE and NSDP), in August 2006, Gruevski announced that the new government will be composed of VMRO-DPMNE, DPA, NSDP, DOM, and PEI (65 seats in the Parliament, in total).
The DUI - PDP coalition, revolted because they have not been invited in the new government, started protests throughout the Albanian-dominated parts of the country. In May 2007, PDP has decided to accept Gruevski's offer to join the govennment, and since June the PDP is also a coalition partner in the Gruevski's government.
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
on 5 July 2006. The winner was the coalition led by the centre-right VMRO-DPMNE.
Campaign
For the 2006 Parliamentary Elections, the international community sent 6,000 observers to monitor electoral procedures, as NATO and EU officials saw the elections as a key test of Macedonian ambitions of joining both organizations after local elections in March 2005 were marred by irregularities. The 2006 election campaign was marked by serious cross-political confrontations, occasionally resulting in violence, mainly between, but not limited to, the two major ethnic Albanian parties - the Democratic Union for IntegrationDemocratic Union for Integration
The Democratic Union for Integration is the largest Albanian political party in the Republic of Macedonia, and the third largest political party in all of Macedonia...
and the Democratic Party of Albanians
Democratic Party of Albanians
The Democratic Party of Albanians or DPA is a political party of the ethnic Albanians in the Republic of Macedonia. The DPA is a merger of the Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians and the People's Democratic Party which took place in June 1997...
. The situation was seen as seriously tarnishing the international reputation of the country. As the confrontations between the ethnic Albanian parties intensified, a diplomatic offensive from Western officials took place to put an end to the irregularities. These efforts were supported by the ethnic Macedonian parties, but also by calls from the Albanian and Kosovan
Prime Minister of Kosovo
The Prime Minister of Kosovo is Head of Government of the disputed Republic of Kosovo .The Prime Minister and the Government of Kosovo, which he or she heads, are responsible for their actions to the Assembly of Kosovo, of which they must all be members...
prime ministers. The situation within the Albanian bloc didn't seem to improve much and, moreover, on 22 June 2006 in the center of Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
, a clash between the two major ethnic Macedonian parties (VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM) also took place.
The representatives of the EU and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
continued with their efforts to stop the irregularities. NATO warned it over pre-election violence or risk delays the country's ambitions to join the military alliance. (NATO intervention in 2001 helped prevent ethnic conflict developing into full-scale civil war.) Problems within the Macedonian bloc stopped immediately, and incidents between the Albanian parties also progressively stopped. The last week of the election campaign was calm, with almost no incidents.
Outcome
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
dubbed the elections "a success".
The results showed a clear victory for the coalition led by the centre-right opposition party VMRO-DPMNE, obtaining 45 of the 120 seats in the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia. The coalition of its centre-left political opponent, SDSM, won 35 seats. The majority of Albanian votes were given to the DUI
Democratic Union for Integration
The Democratic Union for Integration is the largest Albanian political party in the Republic of Macedonia, and the third largest political party in all of Macedonia...
- PDP
Party for Democratic Prosperity
The Party for Democratic Prosperity or PDP is an ethnic Albanian political party in the Republic of Macedonia. The party was formed in April 1990 and is currently led by Abdyladi Vejseli....
coalition (17 seats), while DPA
Democratic Party of Albanians
The Democratic Party of Albanians or DPA is a political party of the ethnic Albanians in the Republic of Macedonia. The DPA is a merger of the Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians and the People's Democratic Party which took place in June 1997...
won 11 seats. Other parties that won seats in the Parliament include: NSDP
New Social Democratic Party
The New Social Democratic Party is a centre-left social democratic party in the Republic of Macedonia. Its leader is Tito Petkovski, who parted with the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia in November 2005...
(7 seats), VMRO-NP (6 seats), DOM
Democratic Renewal of Macedonia
The Democratic Renewal of Macedonia is a centre-left political party in the Republic of Macedonia. The party split from the bigger Social Democratic Union of Macedonia several years ago. At the last legislative elections, 5 July 2006, the party won 1 out of 120 seats.- External links :...
(1 seat), PEI
Party for European Future
The Party for European Future is a political party in the Republic of Macedonia which largely represents the Macedonian Muslims....
(1 seat).
After unsuccessful negotiations between VMRO-DPMNE and DUI considering the structure of the new government, Nikola Gruevski
Nikola Gruevski
Nikola Gruevski has been Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia since 27 August 2006. He has led VMRO-DPMNE since May 2003. He was Minister of Finance in the VMRO-DPMNE government led by Ljubčo Georgievski until September 2002.- Personal life :...
decided to form a government with the Democratic Party of Albanians
Democratic Party of Albanians
The Democratic Party of Albanians or DPA is a political party of the ethnic Albanians in the Republic of Macedonia. The DPA is a merger of the Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians and the People's Democratic Party which took place in June 1997...
. After a tough negotiation process (especially between VMRO-DPMNE and NSDP), in August 2006, Gruevski announced that the new government will be composed of VMRO-DPMNE, DPA, NSDP, DOM, and PEI (65 seats in the Parliament, in total).
The DUI - PDP coalition, revolted because they have not been invited in the new government, started protests throughout the Albanian-dominated parts of the country. In May 2007, PDP has decided to accept Gruevski's offer to join the govennment, and since June the PDP is also a coalition partner in the Gruevski's government.