North Macedonia is a sovereign, independent, democratic and social unitary state under the 1991 Constitution and its amendments. National political authority is divided among the unicameral Assembly, the Government and the directly elected President. The Assembly legislates and exercises parliamentary control, the Government manages executive administration, and the President represents the state and serves as commander-in-chief. Political representation also develops through elections for the President, the Assembly, mayors and municipal councils. Presidential and mayoral elections use direct voting with a possible second round, while Assembly and municipal council elections use proportional closed-list voting. Citizens generally acquire voting rights at age 18 when they meet the applicable residence requirements and appear in the Voters’ Register. Local self-government operates through 80 municipalities and the City of Skopje. Eight planning regions coordinate development but do not constitute an autonomous level of government. Understanding politics in North Macedonia therefore requires separating national institutions, electoral representation and local administration.
Politics in Macedonia
Politics in North Macedonia is shaped by state institutions, elections and local self-government. The Assembly makes laws, the Government exercises executive power, and the President represents the state. Elections determine national and local representation, while municipalities and the City of Skopje manage local matters.
Tip
Start by identifying whether your concern belongs to national institutions, an election or local self-government. Treat municipalities and the City of Skopje as the relevant local level, and do not mistake planning regions for autonomous government. If you plan to vote, check your eligibility and Voters’ Register entry early enough to resolve problems before the election.