May 06, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) is the most popular political organization in the country, according to a poll by the Center for Research and Policy Making. 26 per cent of respondents would back the governing party in the next legislative election.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) is the most popular political organization in the country, according to a poll by the Center for Research and Policy Making. 26 per cent of respondents would back the governing party in the next legislative election.

The Social Democratic League of Macedonia (SDSM) is second with 12 per cent, followed by the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI) with 11 per cent, the Democratic Party of Albanians (PDSH) with seven per cent, and the New Social Democratic Party (NSDP) with one per cent. 13 per cent of respondents remain undecided, while 28 per cent say they will not vote.

Macedonia has been split along ethnic lines since it was a part of Yugoslavia. In 2001, the country came close to a civil war as representatives of the ethnic Albanian minority became engaged in a series of violent battles that forced many residents to flee. The conflict ended with a new constitution, which guarantees Albanian rights.

In July 2006, Macedonian voters renewed their Assembly. Final results gave the VMRO-DPMNE 45 seats, followed by Together for Macedonia (ZM) with 32 seats, and a coalition encompassing the BDI and the Democratic Prosperity Party (PPD) with 17 seats. In August, Nikola Gruevski of the VMRO-DPMNE was sworn in as prime minister.

Greece has insisted that Macedonia is properly known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in international organizations. However, more than two-thirds of United Nations (UN) member states—including the United States—have recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name: Republic of Macedonia. Greece has also expressed concerns over future territorial claims to one of its provinces, which is also known as Macedonia.

Yesterday, Gruevski said all Macedonians should express their views on the dispute with Greece, adding, "A handful of politicians cannot decide on such an issue without asking the people in a referendum."

Polling Data

Which party would you vote for in the Assembly election?

Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE)	26%
Social Democratic League of Macedonia (SDSM)	12%
Democratic Union for Integration (BDI)	11%
Democratic Party of Albanians (PDSH)	7%
New Social Democratic Party (NSDP)	1%
Undecided	13%
Would not vote	28%

Source: Center for Research and Policy Making
Methodology: Interviews with 1,100 Macedonian adults, conducted on Apr. 24 and Apr. 25, 2008. No margin of error was provided.