New coalition cabinet, led by Kovacevski's Social Democrats, was backed by 62 MPs of those present in the 120-seat parliament. Forty-six lawmakers voted against.
Securing a place in the EU is not easy for any nation, but this little Balkan country was tested like no other candidate.
'I take responsibility for the defeat in the local elections,' says Zoran Zaev.
After two days of heated debate, lawmakers voted 62-51 in the 120-member assembly in favour of the new government led by Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev, 46. Seven members were absent.
It is the Balkan country's first parliamentary election since it added "North" to its name early last year, ending a decades-old dispute with Greece.
The government said the eight-day state of emergency that came into force immediately will allow authorities to make the necessary preparations to ensure public health is protected during the campaign and voting amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Leaders of Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania - all Western Balkan countries blighted by wars in the 1990s that also aspire to join the European Union - met in the Albanian capital Tirana to give shape to the idea.
EU leaders failed to reach a consensus on whether to open membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia, amid stiff opposition to the move from France.
North Macedonia's pro-Western candidate, Stevo Pendarovski, won a run-off presidential vote after a campaign dominated by divisions over a change to the country's name that was agreed to mollify Greece and open the way for EU and NATO membership.
Voters will elect a new president in a run-off vote dominated by deep divisions over a change in the country's name agreed with Greece that has opened the path to NATO and EU membership.
According to the latest results, the ruling Social Democrat party's favoured candidate Stevo Pendarovski got 42.85 percent of the votes while his right-wing rival Gordana Siljanovska Davkova 42.24 percent.
Voters in North Macedonia had another chance to give an opinion on their country's new name as they cast ballots in a presidential election. Three university professors were vying for the largely ceremonial presidency.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for all latest in-depth, on the ground reporting from around the world.
Copyright © 2023 TRT World.