Bozinovski: National topics in the focus of local elections in North Macedonia

Although local elections are approaching, political parties in North Macedonia will find it difficult to avoid national topics such as European integration and relations with Bulgaria during their campaigns, Vladimir Bozinovski, professor of political science and Director of the Institute for Political Research, told Kosovo Online.

“As usual, there is nothing new. The topics are always, so to speak, mixed. Of course, there will be local issues, but national themes will most likely take center stage in these local elections,” Bozinovski said.

According to him, the course of the campaign will depend on the current social and political circumstances.

“I assume that the campaign will focus on the most relevant issues at the moment. We can’t single out just one topic, I believe they will shift as the campaign progresses,” he explained.

He expects the campaign to start with economic issues.

“We will probably begin with certain economic topics, and the discussions will surely touch on European integration as well as the dispute with Bulgaria,” he noted.

Still, the professor hopes that local issues, which matter most to citizens, will also find their place in the campaign.

“I can’t say I expect it, but I do hope that local topics, the ones that are most important to the citizens, since we are talking about local elections, will also be included in the campaign, along with the promises made by political parties,” Bozinovski concluded.