Skopje, 27 March 2026 (MIA) - SDSM leader Venko Filipche presented Friday the new draft-programme of the party, which final version will result from an inclusive process and broad discussion with the membership, citizens and experts, followed by its adoption at the June 7 congress.

Filipche said the draft-programme contains over 20 points that address multiple groups who are marginalized in society due to the new way of life and contemporary trends.

The first point is titled "A home for all" that foresees a change of the housing policy on one hand and a development policy on the other.

"Macedonian cities are empty, there are more apartments and fewer homes. The solution lies in a complete change of the paradigm, through integration of the housing policy on one hand and the development policy on the other. Our proposals include a first home for people under 35 fully exempted from sales tax, green and modern buildings, an emergency fund for roofs and external walls, and apartments for young people," said Filipche.

The next point is "Fair taxes" that stipulates cheaper food, luxury taxation, then "Energy autonomy" meaning energy sovereignty, green justice and putting an end to partisan companies.

The other points include "Smart industralization, strong economy", "Wages, pensions, justice", "Coexistence without blackmail", "Macedonian identity, confirmed and permanent", "Macedonian multilateralism", "Steel security", "Zero corruption", as well as those related to youth, workers, pensioners, namely a new social contract.

"Zero corruption through the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Justice in Macedonia is captured by corrupt power centers that privatize public property through systemic erosion of institutions. Instead of rule of law, we have institutional uncertainty that dampens strategic investments and creates a high-risk economic environment," said the SDSM leader.

According to him, their vision is to see a transfer from passive control to automazied integrity, where digital protocols eliminate the discretionary rights as a source of bribe.

"By linking progress in EU accession negotiations with real delivery of justice, we are creating a system that rewards honesty and digitalizes responsibility. A joint front with the European PPO, early closure of the Fundamentals, smart-protocols in administration, an algorithm check of capital flows and institutional integrity guarantees," said Filipche.

On social affairs, he said the economy is for the people, not for company bosses.

"If the company's profit rises, the workers' wages must rise as well. The state will no longer be just a silent observer, but a partner that rewards fair companies and punishes those that make profit at the expense of others. The state will reduce its tax burden on companies that increase salaries. The money will end up in the workers' pockets, not the budget," noted Filipche.

In addition, pensions would follow the trend of price hikes or wage increases, guaranteeing that all pensions would be higher by 50 percent after only one government term.

Photo: MIA