A pro-western academic has been elected president of North Macedonia after polls marred by deep divisions over the state’s newly adopted name.

University professor Stevo Pendarovski, supported by the ruling Social Democrats, won 51.66 percent in a run-off vote on Sunday and becomes the former Yugoslav’s Republic’s fifth president.

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The result was instantly welcomed as a victory for pro-European and Nato forces determined to anchor North Macedonia to the West at a time of meddling in the region by Russia. Pendarovski, until recently coordinator of the Balkan nation’s accession to Nato, described the result as “our ticket to Europe”.

“This is a victory for all who are convinced that we have to continue forward together and I promise I’ll serve all the people equally,” he said from the Social Democrats’ headquarters.

Fears had abounded that the turnout would fall short of the requisite 40 percent threshold, forcing another ballot that would have ushered in a period of protracted political instability in one of Europe’s poorest states. A first round, two weeks ago, only narrowly passed the threshold due to voter apathy.

As jubilant supporters, holding EU flags danced in joy at the outcome, the European Commissioner in charge of EU enlargement, Johannes Hahn, tweeted: “North Macedonia can count on the EU’s continued support for its EU accession perspective, thus responding to the strong European aspirations of its people.”

Pendarovski’s opponent who had been backed by the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, trailed with 44.7 percent, garnering 58,499 votes less, according to the state’s electoral commission.

The first woman to run for president since the ex republic declared independence 28 years ago, Siljanovska-Davkova had campaigned on the promise to challenge the name-change accord ratified earlier this year to assuage Greek fears of territorial ambitions and open the way to membership of the western alliance. Greece had blocked its northern neighbour’s entry to Nato arguing its name implied thinly disguised irredentist claims over its own province of Macedonia.

The 63-year-old constitutional law professor had called the pact, known as the Prespes agreement after the lake on which it was signed, a blot on the two-million strong nation’s dignity. Conceding defeat she said: “He won the battle but we haven’t lost the fight.”

Despite considerable hostility, the country’s centre-left prime minister Zoran Zaev, who assumed power in 2017, saw settlement of the name row as a top foreign policy after more than a decade strident nationalism under the stewardship of a former right wing government.

In a move that ended a dispute that had raged for almost three decades, he agreed that the country, previously called Macedonia, would designate itself North Macedonia by adding a geographical qualifier that set it apart from the eponymous Greek region.

But the new name, decried as a humiliating concession by protestors, has profoundly polarized society, eclipsing all other issues during the campaign. Opponents argue the accord, which stipulates that nationals should now be known as citizens of North Macedonia – was too heavy a price to pay.

On Monday, political analysts said it was clear Pendarovski’s victory was attributable to support from the country’s large ethnic Albanian minority, whose own candidate had come in third in the first round of the race. Unlike their predominantly Slav compatriots, ethnic Albanians have never taken issue with the name change and are vocal supporters of the country’s western orientation. Around 97,000 are believed to have cast ballots in his favour.

Speaking from Skopje, the republic’s capital, Nenad Markovikj, a professor of political science at Cyril and Methodius University, told the Guardian: “It is as much a victory for Albanians as it is for pro-European forces and anti-isolationist policies. He owes a lot to the Albanian vote which is a reflection of his own belief in our being a modern multi-ethnic democracy.”

Pendarovski will assume the post on May 12 when the term of outgoing president Gjorge Ivanov ends. Ivanov, a nationalist who also opposed the name-change treaty, who will welcome Pope Francis during the pontiff’s one-day visit to the country on Monday.

But while the election result averted plunging the country into political crisis, political analysts warned it also sent a message to the Social Democrats whose support has clearly waned with perceived lack of progress in implementing reforms and improving rule of law.

“In the short term this is a victory for a government that has succeeded in installing its own candidate who supports its pro-European direction,” said Markovikj. “But after the record low turnout in the first round, what we have seen is also a huge warning sign that many are dissatisfied with the government’s work.”

In the run up to the run-off vote, Zaev signalled he would reshuffle his cabinet, a move he is expected to make before the new president takes up his mandate next week.