VMRO‑DPMNE: SDSM proposals would further cripple farmers

VMRO‑DPMNE warned that the legislative changes proposed by SDSM to provide direct financial support to farmers would further harm agricultural producers rather than help them.

The ruling party said that, instead of advancing “invented proposals”, SDSM and its leader Venko Filipche should face farmers and apologise for “seven lost years” in the sector, for unpaid subsidies and for policies that, VMRO‑DPMNE argues, set the agricultural sector back.

VMRO‑DPMNE's demand

In a statement, VMRO‑DPMNE said SDSM must acknowledge past mistakes and take responsibility. The party put its criticism in blunt terms:

"To apologise for leaving unpaid subsidies and debts to farmers, funds that this Government had to pay and settle. To apologise also for the economic policies that further burdened the economy, among them the solidarity tax they introduced. Instead of pretending today to be concerned about farmers and about the standard of citizens, they should answer for their own decisions while they were in power," said VMRO‑DPMNE.

The party also pointed to recent export figures as evidence of improvement under the current administration. "2024 and 2025 are years of strong growth in agricultural exports, with results that stand out compared to export achievements over the past 15 years. In 2025 the export of agricultural products reached 416.7 million euros, about 85 million euros more than in 2024. Those are results. Farmers do not live off press releases, but from their labour, from secure placement, from timely support and from results," VMRO‑DPMNE added.

The reaction from VMRO‑DPMNE followed an announcement by SDSM leader Venko Filipche that the SDSM parliamentary group in the Assembly would submit a draft law to introduce direct financial assistance for farmers, whom Filipche said are disappointed because the authorities do not pay them sufficient attention. SDSM has made proposals for legal changes aimed at direct financial help to farmers.

Photo: Arhiva