Bërvenica Municipality prepares for mayoral elections on October 18

Political parties have begun preparing for the upcoming mayoral elections in the Bërvenica Municipality, scheduled for October 18. The election follows the death of the previous mayor, Jovica Ilievski.

The race in this rural municipality, which comprises 10 villages, carries symbolic weight due to the ethnic competition between Albanian and Macedonian voters. While ethnic dynamics are central, the contest is also characterized by intense partisan rivalry within ethnic groups.

BDI has officially announced Arkin Jahiji as its candidate. In contrast, the Albanian League (Lidhja Shqiptare) has criticized the move, calling for the unification of Albanian political entities and suggesting they have their own candidate ready. The VLEN party has confirmed its participation but has not yet finalized whether Haqim Ramadanin or another individual will run. On the Macedonian side, names have not been officially confirmed, though Goran Jovanovski, State Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, is mentioned as a potential serious candidate for VMRO-DPMNE.