Zoran Zaev

Zoran Zaev, born on October eighth, nineteen seventy-four, is a prominent Macedonian economist and politician. He first rose to national prominence as the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, serving two non-consecutive terms from May two thousand seventeen to January two thousand twenty, and again from August two thousand twenty to January two thousand twenty-two. Before his political career, Zaev successfully managed a private business in his hometown of Strumica.

Zaev's political journey began in the early two thousands when he served as a Member of the Parliament of Macedonia from two thousand three to two thousand five. He then transitioned to local governance, becoming the mayor of Strumica Municipality, a role he held for three consecutive terms from two thousand five until two thousand sixteen. In two thousand thirteen, following the resignation of Branko Crvenkovski, Zaev was appointed as the leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia.

Despite facing challenges, including a defeat in the two thousand fourteen parliamentary elections and subsequent accusations of election rigging, Zaev remained a pivotal figure in Macedonian politics. His determination led to the publication of illegally obtained conversations in two thousand fifteen, revealing organized crime among senior officials. This bold move was followed by the signing of the Pržino Agreement, which facilitated a technical government to oversee early elections in two thousand sixteen.

Under Zaev's leadership, his party formed a coalition government with DUI and the Alliance for Albanians, leading to his election as Prime Minister in May two thousand seventeen. He has been a strong advocate for North Macedonia's accession to the European Union and played a crucial role in signing the Prespa Agreement with Greece, which resolved a long-standing name dispute and paved the way for NATO accession. Additionally, Zaev was instrumental in initiating the Mini Schengen Zone, aimed at fostering economic cooperation among Western Balkan countries.

In January two thousand twenty, Zaev resigned due to stalled EU talks but returned to power after the elections later that year. His tenure concluded after the local elections in October two thousand twenty-one, with Dimitar Kovačevski succeeding him in January two thousand twenty-two.