The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) has strongly criticized the VMRO-DPMNE, VLEN, and ZNAM coalition government, asserting that in its first year, it has transformed Macedonia into a nation characterized by impoverished citizens, humiliated workers, and a precarious level of debt. SDSM spokesperson Bogdanka Kuzeska made these claims, citing devastating Eurostat data indicating that Macedonian workers have the lowest salaries and living standards in Europe.

Kuzeska stated that over 70% of employees earn less than 500 euros per month, leading to the decline of the middle class and an exodus of young people. She accused the VMRO-DPMNE government of lacking a clear plan or solutions to address these economic challenges.

The SDSM spokesperson highlighted that while government officials allegedly enjoy luxurious lifestyles, workers struggle to afford basic necessities. She emphasized the collapse of citizens’ purchasing power, with prices rising and wages stagnating over the past year, causing inflation to rise above 4% and real purchasing power to fall by over 20%.

Kuzeska further criticized the government for accumulating nearly 8 billion euros in debt within a single year, allegedly without a clear plan, control, or capital investments. She stated that such a level of debt has not been seen in Macedonia in 35 years.

According to Kuzeska, companies are experiencing delays in receiving VAT refunds, and the state owes significant sums, leading to economic stagnation and a decline in living standards. She concluded by warning that the situation could worsen under the current government.