The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) has strongly criticized Minister of Culture Zoran Ljutkov for what they describe as disastrous management of the cultural sector. The party alleges that over 3,000 cultural workers have been left without pay and that Ljutkov has announced plans to offer cultural heritage sites under concession.

SDSM characterizes the situation as institutional neglect of culture, cultural workers, and the nation’s cultural heritage. They question whether the VMRO-DPMNE party intends to allow Macedonian holy sites to be acquired by foreign entities for personal gain.

The party asserts that it stands with the citizens and will not allow the destruction of cultural heritage. SDSM demands Ljutkov’s resignation and accountability for the chaos in the cultural sector. They also insist on the retraction of statements regarding the privatization of cultural heritage and the immediate payment of March salaries for all cultural workers.

SDSM emphasizes that culture and cultural heritage are not commodities and that archaeology is not simply a plot of land. The party believes that the people of the country remember and will not forget these issues.