Gordana Siljanovska Davkova takes office as North Macedonia's 1st woman president

Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, the winner of the May 8 presidential election in North Macedonia, officially started Sunday her term as the country's first female president.

A special session in the North Macedonian Assembly was held for the oath taking ceremony. It was attended by high-ranking representatives, religious leaders, and foreign ambassadors, including Türkiye's Ambassador to Skopje Fatih Ulusoy.

Davkova pledged to diligently and responsibly fulfill her duties as the president of Macedonia in her speech.

"I will respect the Constitution and laws, and I will protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Macedonia," she said.

Davkova vowed to lead the country without discrimination, inspiring women in the Balkans and her country, while acknowledging the persistence of patriarchy.

The new president did not use the constitutional name of North Macedonia during her speech. Greek Ambassador Sophia Philippidou left the General Assembly Hall during the session.

After the Prespa Agreement in June 2018, renaming Macedonia to North Macedonia and paving the way for NATO membership, Davkova took over the presidency from Stevo Pendarovski in a handover ceremony following the Assembly session.

In the second round of North Macedonia's presidential election on May 8, Davkova secured victory with 64.14% of the votes.

She was backed by the alliance led by the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE).

Meanwhile, the alliance supported by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), led by former President Stevo Pendarovski, received 29.25% of the votes.

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- Who is Gordana Siljanovska Davkova?

Davkova, born in Ohrid in 1953, has an extensive background in academia and politics.

She taught constitutional law and political system courses at a state university's law faculty and served on various governmental bodies, including the Parliament Constitution Commission and as a state minister from 1992 to 1994.

Her career also includes roles such as UN Election Expert, Deputy Chair of the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Local Government, and Member of the Venice Commission.

Although she ran for president in 2019, she was unsuccessful in the second round. Since 2020, she has held a position as a member of parliament in the North Macedonian Assembly.