SDSM disputes Mickoski’s economic claims: Citizens face high prices, low incomes and a financial crisis

SDSM responded this morning with two strongly worded statements targeting Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and OBRM-PDUKM, questioning the figures presented on the economy, pension increases and the fight against crime. The opposition also accused the government of using state institutions and public funds for political purposes.

One of the responses concerned Mickoski’s statements about the government’s economic performance and his claim that pensions have increased far more than during SDSM’s time in government.

According to SDSM, the prime minister said that pensions had increased “16 times” more than during the SDSM period and that citizens were living better than they were three years ago. “16 times. Not percent. Times,” the party said in its response.

The opposition also disputes the assessments of the state of the Macedonian economy, as well as the figures on tourism and air traffic, arguing that the figures published by the government are not reflected in citizens’ daily lives.

“For him, Macedonia is an economic tiger. But citizens still have not seen it in their bank accounts,” SDSM said. The party stressed that reality is measured by prices in shops and pharmacies, electricity bills and income levels.

SDSM also brought attention to State Lottery funds that, according to the party, were used to organize celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of independence. The party claims that the amount was 5.5 million euros and accused the government of using public funds as a tool for political promotion.

In the same response, the opposition criticized the situation at PIOM and the second pension pillar, claiming that the government’s financial problems were being covered up through citizens’ savings.

“There has not been a 16-times-greater increase, but 16-times-greater cynicism. Citizens are not living better than they were three years ago; there is only a direction of lies,” SDSM declared.

The party’s second response focused on Mickoski’s statement that “there are no more gangs, no more crime, no more blackmail, no more marijuana economy, no more Lottery commissions.”

SDSM described the statement as a “self-portrait of the government,” in its view.

“There are no more small gangs because there is only one large gang that controls everything. There are no more street gangs, but party gangs,” the opposition party alleged.

SDSM claims that OBRM-PDUKM has extended its influence into several parts of the state system, including public procurement, the judiciary, security institutions, the energy sector and gambling.

The party also referred to the case involving five tons of marijuana, which it claims crossed the border and customs checkpoint into Serbia, even under police escort. According to SDSM, the matter should be established or clarified through independent investigations rather than political statements.

“Crime does not disappear through a statement. It disappears only through an investigation that does not stop at a surname, a position or a party card,” SDSM concluded.