Only 62 Bulgarian citizens have exercised their right to vote in the Republic of North Macedonia, which represents 1.8% of the 3,504 people who declared themselves as Bulgarians at the last census in our southwestern neighbor. The opportunity to vote was provided in sections in Skopje, Ohrid, Bitola, Prilep, Strumica and Kavadarci, reports the Skopje TV Channel 5, as quoted by Focus.
The largest number of registered voters is in Prilep – 45 people, 10 are in the Bulgarian embassy in Skopje, five in the general consulate in Bitola, one voter each is registered in Strumica and Kavadarci, and none are registered in Ohrid. However, this number may increase, as Bulgarian citizens can vote without prior registration. Those interviewed by the media share skepticism about Bulgaria's chances of producing a stable government, as well as about the possible improvement in bilateral relations under the current circumstances.
„It will be the same again. The old song in a new voice. Let's hope so – for the good of the people."
„I very much hope that the relations between Bulgaria and the RSM will improve. But we probably won't have a stable government. Since the parties and the people are the same, I guess there will be a low turnout."
„No. The relationship will not improve. I don't expect anything good. This is how parties work – arranges for them to have no peace between the citizens."
Why is there so little interest in voting? Former Yugoslav diplomat Risto Nikovski told “Channel 5“ that these data on voter turnout should be a clear signal for Sofia.
The interest in voting among Bulgarian citizens in the country has been constantly decreasing in recent election cycles. In the June elections in Bulgaria, 120 Bulgarian citizens from the RSM voted, in April two years ago - 163, and in October of the same year they reached the highest number – 181 people.