Political parties finalize candidate lists for local elections. Besa movement announced the name of its leader Bilal Kasami as candidate for mayor of Tetovo, while the Alliance will oppose with Adnan Neziri. The current mayor, Teuta Arifi, remains in the race for the top position, who will try to reach the second term. Menduh Thaci's DPA proposed Bardul Dauti. Goran Manojlovski will again be a candidate of VMRO-DPMNE.
Regarding Chair, the Albanians' parties have already proposed their candidates. DUI goes with Deputy Education Minister Visar Ganiu, Besa with MP Zekiri Ibrahimi, while the Alliance for Candidate for Mayor of Chair elected Farouk Avdiu, SDSM continues to calculate and considers whether they will have its representative in the race for the successor of Izet Mexhiti.
In Gostivar, VMRO-DPMNE will perform with Dafina Stojanovska, DUI with incumbent Mayor Nevzat Bejta, Besa Movement will compete with Asaf Ademi, Alliance for Albanians with the incumbent Minister of Health, Arben Taravari, while DPA has not yet decided whether their candidate will be Gazmend Aliu or Agron Zeqiri.
Besides the parties of the Albanians, SDSM will take part in these local elections in Aracinovo. Their leader Zaev has already made official candidate Melekie Alimi. DUI for Arachinovo is proposed by Isuf Bislimi, Movement Besa will perform with Ali Ismaili and the Alliance in Arachinovo with Isen Ramadani.
And for Lipkovo the candidates are already clear. DUI chose Erkan Arifi, Movement Besa decided on Shaban Zendeli, the Alliance will compete with Bekim Afziu, while DPA through Bardhyl Destani will fight for the mayor's chair, where Minister Sadula Duraki was sitting until recently.
For Kumanovo except VMRO-DPMNE, which is proposed with Zoran Gjorgievski, no other party has chosen its candidate. SDSM has a dilemma as who to be their candidate. Whether the incumbent Zoran Damjanovski, MP Maxim Dimitrievski or completely new person. No name has been promoted from the Albanian parties yet. In DUI there is a clash and dissatisfaction in the branch, and the Alliance has so far established a list of councilors for the municipal council.
If the most exciting among the Albanian parties is expected to be in Tetovo, then for the parties of the Macedonians, the position of the mayor of the capital is most reluctant.
For Skopje, from the two largest parties will be Petre Shilegov from SDSM and current incumbent mayor of Skopje, Koce Trajanovski.
The local elections in the country will be held on October 15th and the final deadline for candidates is September 14th.
