Pray for Sunday Elections

Kaboom boom boom they go, rattling my building for the last three nights in a row, with more expected tonight. You see, elections are on Sunday and so each of the party candidates have their rally attended by thousands and then close with celebratory fireworks.

I must say, it's nice to have an apartment in the city with a view of this. ;) Besides the fireworks, there is one thing that I love about elections here: they start and finish in about a month! How nice!

A local blogger for Balkan Insight posted a fun article describing the festivities and carnival atmosphere of elections here in Macedonia (and I highly recommend it simply to get a sampling of Balkan insight and humor).

With all the festivities, there is also a certain level of tension. There have been incidents of violence in other towns and villages all related to the lead up to the elections. Another article noted that a record number of police will be deployed on Sunday (though visibility has already increased this week). Several diplomatic representatives from other countries will be monitoring the process as well.

Of the many billboards posted all over town about knowing the best choice etc. there is one that says "We can and we must" and it has a picture of a puppet cutting the strings that bind it. I'm not sure what party it's for or what it's referring to, but it does give you a picture of the passion that is involved in this particular parliamentary vote which has the issues of joining the EU and NATO, the economy and the name dispute with Greece holding vigil.

It will be interesting to see the result of the elections especially as it relates to the future of the country, stability and its' relations with others.

We'd appreciate your prayer. Thanks!