SDSM leader Vlado Buckovski was not given a vote of confidence at the party convention held on 7 October. A total of 200 delegates voted confidence in Buckovski, while 339 did not. After the results of the voting were announced, Buckovski stated that a special congress would be held toward the middle of November.

"In a democracy, one wins and loses elections. I respect the will of the delegates. Now comes the more difficult part of the work. We have to convene the congress within 30 days," Buckovski said. "If we convene the special congress by 7 November, the same will have to be held within 15 days. I hope that SDSM will have a new leader by 22 November," he said.

Radmila Sekerinska, who leads the group that wants Buckovski to assume responsibility for the loss at the parliamentary elections in July and withdraw from the leadership position, announced that she would run for the leadership position in SDSM at the party's congress next month.

"It is clear that SDSM will need a new image and a new policy. I am prepared to offer my concept and my program. Of course, the delegates will be the ones who will have the final say," Sekerinska said after the results of the voting at the congress were revealed.