Skopje, 17 October 2021 (MIA) – SDSM is winning in Skopje and SDSM candidate Petre Shilegov is in a lead in the first round ahead of Danela Arsovska, the VMRO-DPMNE-backed independent candidate, according to preliminary information unveiled late on Sunday by SDSM secretary general Ljupcho Nikolovski. In addition to the City of Skopje, he said, SDSM is winning in the first election round or is in a lead entering the second round in at least over 25 municipalities, including Strumica, Kriva Palanka, Delchevo, Karposh, Centar, Probishtip, etc. “We are in a convincing lead ahead of VMRO-DPMNE in other municipalities including Kumanovo, Dolneni, Debarca, Struga, etc.” “SDSM until now has won or is in convincing lead in almost 27-28 municipalities,” Nikolovski told a news conference. He accused the opposition VMRO-DPMNE of creating “fake euphoria”, calling it a sign of political immaturity of the party leader Hristijan Mickoski. Nikolovski reminded him that “local elections always have a runoff.”