Centre-right wins Macedonia presidential elections 

The opposition conceded defeat in Macedonia's presidential runoff election on Sunday to the candidate of the governing party, Gjorge Ivanov, 49.

The vote gave Mr. Ivanov’s party a complete grip on political power in the Balkan country.

Gjorge Ivanov, 49, who has never run for office before, was ahead by almost two to one against former foreign minister Ljubomir Frckovski of the main opposition SDSM party.

"Our first task will be to resolve the name issue with our southern neighbor Greece," Ivanov told Reuters. "I am sure we can find common interest and compromise." "I am sure Greece will be cooperative on the issue."

Officials said the vote passed off peacefully, with only minor irregularities. "Overall the process seems to be working normally," said Erwan Fouere, the European Union's ambassador to Macedonia.

Macedonia had hoped to impress the EU and the NATO military alliance by holding peaceful and fair elections after fraud and violence, including one death, marred parliamentary voting last year. Yet with most ballots counted, turnout barely exceeded the 40% requirement for the results to count.

Once the poorest Yugoslav republic, Macedonia declared independence in 1992 and was spared the bloodshed that was unleashed between Bosnians, Serbs and Croats.

It narrowly avoided war between ethnic Albanians and Macedonians in 2001, but violence led to one death and injuries in last year's parliamentary voting.

"That sullied the democratic credentials of this country," said Jose Luis Herrero, head of the local branch of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. "To go forward with the European Union and NATO intentions, they need those democratic credentials. That's why these elections are so key to the country."

Ethnic Albanians make up a quarter of Macedonia's two million people, and the two groups live very separate lives.

Local and foreign observers reported some cases of voter intimidation and family voting, when one family member dictates how others should vote.

Experts had voiced concern that the turnout might fail to meet a minimum 40 percent threshold, but party officials said the barrier had been passed despite wide voter apathy.

"There is a saying in Macedonian: from two evils, you must choose one," said Metodi Jordanov, 38, a T-shirt maker from the eastern manufacturing town of Stip. "Nothing will change."

Macedonia's prime minister has more power, but the president can influence the direction of foreign policy.

Macedonia applied for EU membership in 2005 but has not advanced since then, and Greece has blocked its NATO application in a 17-year-old dispute over Macedonia's name, which it shares with the northernmost Greek province. 

(EurActiv with Reuters)