Durmishi in Parliament: Our inflation is lower than in some EU countries

During a parliamentary session, Economy Minister Besar Durmishi responded to a question from Jovanka Trençevska, an MP from the ranks of the SDSM, stressing that the government has taken concrete steps to protect citizens’ living standards. According to him, the country’s inflation rate currently stands below the level recorded in several European Union countries.

The minister pointed out that during the mandate of the previous government, inflation had peaked at 16 percent, while the figure has now fallen significantly to 2.6 percent. He underlined that this figure remains more favorable compared with several EU economies. Durmishi also denied any increase in the salaries of state officials and added that, had they been in power, they would have doubled their own salaries.

“Inflation here is lower than in the eurozone. Some EU member states recorded higher inflation rates, while during your period it stood at 16 percent. We did not sit idly by; we took measures to ensure stability and protect the population’s standard of living. During political debates, figures must be compared with reality. We need facts and arguments,” Durmishi declared.

He recalled that, ahead of the start of the school year, the government approved measures to help families with school-age children. Regarding the minimum wage, the minister explained that a formula inherited from the previous administration is in force, having been agreed upon by trade unions and employers, and that the current government is implementing it rigorously. He confirmed that the minimum wage stands at 26,000 denars and has increased over the past two years, in line with the standard of living. Durmishi added that the government’s objective remains to continue this increase, but always in a realistic, sustainable manner supported by economic parameters.

“To be fair, we as a government acknowledge that citizens have expenses for the goods they purchase. However, the situation is not at the level you are portraying. We are aware that living standards must improve, and that is precisely what we are working toward. A political approach must be replaced by arguments. Our position is clear: we support wage increases that are continuous and sustainable, but always in line with economic indicators. Our aspiration is a higher standard of living and greater purchasing power for citizens,” Minister Durmishi concluded.