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CIAO DATE: 07/04
Macedonia:"New Faces In Skopje"
January 8, 1999
Abstract
The recent parliamentary elections and the change of government in Macedonia in many respects are a landmark in the country's development. The smooth transition of power from one political camp to another and the fact that the "radicals" from both major ethnic groups rather than the more moderate parties form the new government are significant in themselves. If the new government manages to solve Macedonia's problems, it might also have repercussions throughout the region. This report, prepared by ICGÕs field analyst in Skopje, looks back and draws lessons from the elections and the formation of the new government, looks ahead at the key policy changes facing the new administration, and assesses the capacity of the ruling coalition to meet those challenges.
The third multi-party parliamentary elections in Macedonia were held on 18 October and 1 November 1998. As a result, Macedonia experienced the first real change of government since it declared independence.