VMRO DPMNE party

The first-ever gay Pride Parade in North Macedonia will be held in Skopje on June 29, the country's National Network Against Homophobia and Transphobia, gathering human rights NGOs, told a press conference on Monday.

"The gay parade will be a form of protest for affirmation, support and protection of human rights of the LGBTQ people," said activist Antonio Mihajlov.

Preliminary results from Sunday's second round of presidential elections in North Macedonia suggested that Stevo Pendarovski, the candidate supported by the country's ruling parties, has won the election, after taking a firm lead against his rival, Gordana Siljanovska, who was backed by the main opposition VMRO DPMNE party.

Polling stations opened on Sunday in the presidential election run-off in North Macedonia, amid fears that if the turnout is as low as it was in the first round, two weeks ago, the election process is in danger.

A total of 3,480 polling stations opened at 7am for an election in which some 1.8 million people have the right to vote.

Ruling alliance candidate Stevo Pendarovski [right] with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev [left]. Photo: EPA/EFE GEORGI LICOVSKI

People casting ballots in North Macedonia. Photo: EPA/EFE GEORGI LICOVSKI

Gordana Siljanovska has the nomination of the right-wing opposition VMRO DPMNE party for her presidential candidacy, but insists she is an independent thinker who cherishes the rule of law.

Macedonia's ruling coalition has been hit by a bitter dispute between coalition partners over the fate of the former speaker.

In his first TV appearance since he escaped from Macedonia to Hungary in November last year, former Macedonian prime minister and former VMRO DPMNE party leader Nikola Gruevski said he fled from Macedonia after "reliable sources" warned him that the new government was plotting to assassinate him.

Macedonia's parliament backed all four of the government-proposed amendments on changing the country's constitution on Friday night, allowing the country's name to be changed to the Republic of North Macedonia.

All present 81 MPs from the ruling parties and from several opposition parties backed the amendments, securing the much needed two-thirds majority.

Macedonia hopes negotiations can persuade Hellenic Petroleum to lower the sum of $32 million that the Greek company is demanding in damages before the Court of Arbitration in Paris, government spokesperson Mile Bosnjakovski said on Wednesday.