Former rebel ousts coalition

OPPOSITION parties led

Tue, 17 Sep, 2002 - 01:00

a former communist swept Macedonia’s ruling coalition from power in the country’s first elections since an armed rebellion, throwing a new challenge to a country still bitterly divided and rocked ethnic tensions.

Premier Ljubco Georgievski confirmed that the ruling Macedonian party, known as VMRO, was ousted from the government in Sunday's parliamentary elections by the opposition Together for Macedonia coalition, led by former communist Branko Crvenkovski.

"At this moment, it is fully clear that we will not be able to form a new government and we are congratulating the winner," Georgievski said. "These were the most democratic elections in the history of Macedonia. VMRO will remain a strong opposition, and good luck to the winners."