Citizens risk new price hikes — SDSM warns, VMRO‑DPMNE and VREDI reply
SDSM says new energy price increases and a rebalance without funds for a €600 minimum wage will further squeeze household budgets.
Political parties traded sharp accusations after SDSM warned that announced increases in electricity and heating prices will further squeeze household budgets and that the state lacks measures to protect citizens’ living standards.
SDSM said union calculations show the minimum consumer basket in October exceeds 70,000 denars, and that when rent for a 60-square-metre flat is added the cost approaches nearly 90,000 denars. The party also said some 180,000 workers earn less than 31,200 denars per month, and that living costs have risen by about 4,000 denars since January.
Parties clash over responsibility and record on wages
At the centre of the dispute is the new budget rebalance: SDSM claimed it contains no funds to raise the minimum wage to 600 euros and lacks measures to protect household purchasing power. VMRO-DPMNE dismissed those warnings and responded with criticism of the opposition’s tone.
VMRO-DPMNE said in its reaction: "At today's press conference they came out like television reporters, reporting on possible dark scenarios. Let citizens not worry, whenever SDSM says it will be bad, it is always the opposite. Unlike SDSM, VMRO-DPMNE has a plan and a vision for the potential challenges that may follow at the global level in the future."
The government partner VREDI defended the coalition's record on wages, arguing the minimum wage rose substantially in the first two years of the current mandate. VREDI said its calculations show the minimum wage grew by 3,479 denars between 2024 and 2026, compared with an increase of 2,085 denars in the 2016–2018 period, and that the current rise is 67 percent larger than back then.
Trade union SSM published its minimum union basket for an October four-person household at 70,358 denars, 926 denars higher than in September. By contrast, the Government's calculation for August lists average monthly costs at 58,475 denars; the two estimates use different methodologies, with SSM measuring minimal needs and the Government reporting realised average consumption.
An Economic and Social Council session scheduled for Monday is expected to discuss the government’s basket and could take up the broader question of household living standards.
Photo: press material from the event
