THE POLOG REGION: INCLUSION OF SMALLER ETHNIC COMMUNITIES IN THE ELECTORAL RACE

The inclusion of smaller ethnic communities in public, political, and institutional life at the local level remains an important element for building an inclusive and democratic society.

In most municipalities of the Polog Region, the political representation of smaller communities is realized in two main ways. The first is through ethnic political parties that operate at the national level but also have a presence in municipalities across the region. These parties usually aim to protect the specific interests of their communities and secure representation in municipal councils or within the local administration. The second way is through large political coalitions, such as those led by the major Macedonian parties VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM, which during local elections include parties and representatives from smaller communities in order to expand their electoral base and reflect ethnic diversity in their candidate lists.

In the Municipality of Tetovo, representation of smaller ethnic communities comes through the candidacy of Samka Ibraimovski from the Roma community. He is running for mayor on behalf of the coalition “Experience for Success”, which includes the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the Citizen Option for Macedonia (GROM), the conservative party Integra-Macedonia, and the Party for the Full Emancipation of Roma (PEPR).

This coalition aims to increase the political representation of smaller communities, including Roma, through a joint platform of interethnic cooperation.

In Tetovo, the Democratic Party of Turks in Macedonia, led by Jusuf Ersoy, is also participating in the race for councilors, while the coalition “Experience for Success” is represented at this level by Ajdogan Ibraimi.

The coalition “Experience for Success” (LDP, GROM, Integra, and PEPR) is also active in the elections for the Municipality of Gostivar, where it competes with a list of candidates for the municipal council.

In this municipality, parties representing the Turkish community are also present, such as the Movement for National Unity of Turks in Macedonia and the Democratic Party of Turks, which are participating with lists of council candidates.

In the Municipality of Tearce, representation of the Turkish community is ensured through the participation of the Democratic Party of Turks in Macedonia (DPTM), which is running with a list for councilors in the local elections.

In the Municipality of Mavrovo and Rostuša, the Democratic Party of Turks is also participating in the electoral race with a list of council candidates, continuing the tradition of involving the Turkish community in local decision-making processes.

In the Municipality of Vrapčište, the Democratic Party of Turks (DPTM) is likewise active with a list of candidates for councilors, demonstrating a consistent presence of Turkish community representation in the region.

The participation of smaller ethnic communities, such as the Roma and Turkish communities, in the electoral process in Polog remains limited, but nevertheless shows a tendency toward gradual inclusion.

Although their representation remains mostly at the level of council candidate lists rather than mayoral candidacies, their presence in several municipalities of Polog indicates a growing political awareness and democratic participation among these communities.

This dual model of inclusion contributes to the political integration of smaller communities; however, challenges remain. Often, the direct influence of these communities on decision-making is limited, and their formal representation does not always translate into real influence over local policies. Additionally, the lack of resources, insufficient involvement in consultative processes, and symbolic participation in electoral coalitions are factors that limit their potential for development and effective representation.

In this regard, it is important to strengthen mechanisms for local participation, including interethnic councils, municipal programs for social integration, and institutional support for civil society organizations that represent these communities. Only through an inclusive approach—combining political representation with civic and social participation—can sustainable and equal development for all communities in the Polog Region be ensured.

This analysis was funded by the European Union within the project “Voices of Equality, Democracy for All,” implemented by the Balkan Institute for Regional Cooperation – BIRC Tetovo. The project is a sub-grant provided within the framework of the “EU Support for the Civil Society Resource Center – Phase 2,” funded by the European Union. The content of the analysis is the sole responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Civil Society Resource Center.