Macedonia’s parliamentary election appears virtually tied with both sides in the former Yugoslavian Republic claiming victory.<br /><br /> The governing conservative coalition (VMRO-DPMNE) is thought to be slightly ahead but the gap is by just over one percentage point. Still their leader Nikola Gruevski thinks its enough.<br /><br /> “With this result VMRO-DMPNE is the winner of this election in Macedonia,” the veteran nationalist leader told supporters.<br /><br /> Meanwhile the opposition led by the Social Democrats (SDSM) are having none of it. They believe they have scored more than the conservatives in the bigger cities giving them a one seat advantage in parliament.<br /><br /> “Respected citizens celebrate. Enjoy life as the regime has fallen,” said leader Zoran Zaev.<br /><br /> The snap election has come after Nikola Gruevski stepped down in January from his post as prime minister following an EU-brokered deal to stop the political crisis surrounding a corruption scandal. <br /><br /> Zaev accused the government of wiretapping tens of thousands of citizens and released recordings of supposed wrongdoings. Gruevski and the VMRO-DPMNE party have denied any culpability in the affair.<br /><br /> Whoever does go on to form the next government they will have to seek a coalition partner among parties representing ethnic Albanians, who account for one-third of the population.<br /><br /> A final result is expected around midday on Monday (Dec 12)<br />
