March 22nd is election day in Macedonia, but for many in the country what is as stake goes far beyond picking a President. According to Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski , quoted in an article by the SE Times:
”These elections are very crucial for us citizens. According to the highest European standards, fair and democratic elections are of the highest importance for our further inclusion in the EU.”
A diverse slate of candidates are in the running, among them two women (Mirushe Hodza, and Slagjana Taseva); the main candidates appear to be George Ivanov and Marija Serifovic’s long lost twin-Ljubomir Frckovski.
Of particular interest to observers and human rights activists is the candidacy of Ljube Boskoski, a former detainee at the Hague (and also involved in the notorious Rashtanski Lozja incident) who on announcing his candidacy stated:
“I expect to have the unlimited support of the people of Macedonia
and call upon those who believe in me to believe in the future of
Macedonia…”
(Well, at least his sense of self-importance has remained in tact). Sarcasm aside, the the election of Mr. Boskoski would represent a major step backwards. Perhaps realizing this, as of January 14th the VMRO-DPMNE has not stated whether or not they will back his candidacy.
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