SDSM: Diesel rises to 104.5 denars per litre — citizens pay for Mickoski's policies

The Social Democratic Union (SDSM) sharply criticised the Regulatory Commission for Energy (RKE) decision that raised the retail price of eurodiesel to 104.5 denars per litre, warning that the increase will hit household budgets, farmers, carriers and the wider economy.

Under the RKE decision, the maximum retail price for eurosuper BS-95 will be 99 denars per litre, eurosuper BS-98 101 denars per litre, and eurodiesel BS (D-E V) 104.5 denars per litre. SDSM noted that diesel rises by 5.5 denars while petrol prices fall by 1.5 denars from midnight. Extra light fuel oil (EL1) falls by 7 denars to 102.5 denars per litre; the retail price of mazut M-1 NS increases by 1.835 denars per kilogram to 50.078 denars.

SDSM said it had proposed measures to curb fuel prices and protect citizens — abolishing the excise, cutting VAT to five percent and setting a minimum wage of €600 — but that Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski did not accept those proposals. The party's statement said: "Mickoski's gang rejected them. The citizens are paying the consequences of his bandit policies. Every tank fill is a new expense for the citizens."

Party warnings on cascading effects

The opposition argued that the higher diesel price will translate into higher transport costs, more expensive agricultural production and additional upward pressure on food and basic goods. SDSM also pointed to a consumer basket that it says has reached 90,000 denars, saying citizens survive on wages that do not cover basic needs.

In a direct attack on government spending priorities, the party added: "There are €5.5 million for a DJ for one evening, but there is no money for measures to protect citizens. There are €200 million for criminal tenders, but no money for farmers. There is money for a 50-member delegation of Mickoski and a plane, but none for a minimum wage. That is bandit rule."

Responding to journalists, Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Bozhinovska said the government is monitoring the situation and will take all necessary steps to mitigate any price shock for citizens if fuel prices escalate further. She noted that the government has an active measure to reduce VAT on diesel from 18 to 10 percent, introduced on 13 September and due to run until 28 September.

SDSM concluded by accusing the authorities of profiting from each new price increase and making a forceful charge: "This is a deliberate decision by an organised criminal group to enrich themselves and shift the burden of the crisis onto citizens."

Photo: press material from the event