Macedonia: Zoran Zaev confident in SDSM victory

Early parliamentary elections are being held in Macedonia. According to the State Election Commission, by 5 p.m. 60.39 percent of voters had cast their ballots, and by 7 p.m. that number was more than 70 percent. No major irregularities were reported at polling stations, Patria reports.

Opposition SDSM leader Zoran Zaev voted in Strumica, where he serves as mayor. He said this is a historic day for Macedonia and its citizens and is confident that he will declare an election victory tonight.

- These are elections for the life and future of the country, for a progressive, free and united Macedonia, Zaev stated, adding that citizens are expressing their free will today.

He is confident in the victory of the SDSM party, which he leads, and announces his departure from the position of mayor of Strumica.

He said he is ready to withdraw from politics in the event of an electoral debacle, but stressed that this will certainly not happen.

(Aljazeera)