Citizens of North Macedonia elect president on May 8

With 40.08% in comparison to 19.92% of those who voted in the first round of the presidential elections in North Macedonia, VMRO-DPMNE candidate Gordana Siljanovska goes to the second round of the presidential elections together with the current president and candidate for a second term in office, supported by SDSM, Stevo Pendarovski. Bujar Osmani came third with 13.37%, ahead of his opponent in the Alliance of the Albanians political bloc, Arben Taravari, who received 9.2%. Voter turnout was 49.93% as 930,533 voters went to the polls, MIA reports. "Well organized but tainted by harsh rhetoric" is the European observers' assessment of the vote, said the head of the mission Jillian Stirk at a press conference in Skopje. Observers note that North Macedonian legislation gives political parties disproportionate access to the media and state funds.

Former Romanian prime minister accused of crimes against humanity

The General Prosecutor's Office in Romania has accused ex-Prime Minister Petre Roman and his Deputy Prime Minister Gelu Voican-Voiculescu of crimes against humanity, AGERPRES reports. The former intelligence director Virgil Magureanu, miners’ leader Miron Kozma and former senior police officers are also due to report to the General Prosecutor's Office. Former president Ion Iliescu will be questioned by prosecutors at his home because he is 94 years old.

According to military prosecutors, on June 13, 1990, state authorities ordered a fierce attack on demonstrators who had occupied Bucharest's University Square and were peacefully protesting against the then left-wing political majority. More than 10,000 miners also illegally participated in the dispersal of the protest camp. Four people died, 1,388 were injured, and 1,250 were arrested.

Far-right Greek party banned from participating in European Parliament elections

The Supreme Court of Greece banned the far-right party "Spartans" from participating in the European Parliament elections on June 9, BTA reports. Petitions against "Spartans" were submitted by the ruling party New Democracy and the opposition parties PASOK and New Left. The Spartans party is under scrutiny for its alleged links to convicted members of the banned neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party. The extremist party is accused of receiving support and direct instructions from former Golden Dawn vice-chairman Ilias Kasidiaris, who is currently in prison. The Supreme Court confirmed that 31 out of a total of 46 parties will compete for the support of voters in the European Parliament elections. 14 of the suspended parties did not pay the legally required participation fee of 20,000 euros.

Croatia receives the first Rafale jets from Dassault Aviation

The first 6 Rafale multi-purpose combat aircraft flew from Bordeaux to Zagreb and were welcomed by Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković, hina.hr reported. The EUR 1.13 billion deal was concluded between Croatia and France in 2022. The other 6 aircraft will be delivered in early 2025. "We are strengthening the strategic partnership with France. This completely changes our international position and our role in NATO and the EU," Plenkovic said. President Milanovic commented that the Rafale jets are among the best in the world. Parliament Speaker Jandrokovic said that this was the largest investment in Croatia's armed forces since its independence in 1991.

Compiled by: Ivo Ivanov

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: meta.mk, AP, libertatea.ro, romania-actualitati.ro