Skopje, 31 March 2024 (MIA) - SDSM and the 'Coalition for European Future' presented on Sunday a "Program for a European Future" and the lists of MP candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for May 8. 

SDSM leader Dimitar Kovachevski will be the coalition's list principal in the first election district, alongside coalition partner LDP leader Monika Zajkova. Oliver Spasovski and Fatmir Bytyqi will head the list in the second election district, Sanja Lukarevska and Ljupcho Nikolovski in the third, Venko Filipche and Jovana Trenchevska in the fourth, Jovan Mitreski and Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska in the fifth, and Slavjanka Petrovska and Agron Demiri in the sixth election district. 

Addressing Sunday's event, Kovachevski said the coalition's promises are ambitious, but realistic and achievable, because, he noted, they are committed to the European path, knowing that there is no alternative.

"We know that with hard work, no goal is unattainable. We will not give up on a better, European future for the country. There is no giving up on the future," he said.

Kovachevski stressed that opportunities for economic development and a better standard of living will further increase with North Macedonia's EU membership.  

"That is why it is important to continue on the European path, as it takes us to the Single European market of half a billion people, which will open up huge opportunities for our companies. The European path also brings a better standard of living for the citizens, more and better work for the companies, additional funds for the development of our economy. Joining the EU is the only guarantee of a European standard. The average wage will then reach EUR 1,300, and the minimum wage will stand at EUR 800," said Kovachevski.

He pointed out that SDSM's economic program brings a better life for everyone, bringing the standard of living closer to the European one through sustained and concrete measures. 

"We guarantee that in the next four years the average wage will reach a record EUR 1,100, and the minimum wage will stand at EUR 600. What I want to point out here is that joining the EU is the only guarantee of a European standard. The average wage will then reach EUR 1,300, and the minimum wage will stand at EUR 800. Our economic plan is focused on reducing the unemployment rate from 12 percent to 7 percent by 2028 – a single digit figure, for the first time in the history of independent Macedonia. We are planning on EUR180 million of direct financial support to local companies for investments in production and stimulating economic growth with EUR 3.5 billion of public capital investments. We guarantee that in 2028 minimum pension will stand at Mden 20,000, and the average pension will stand at Mden 30,000. In addition, we plan on a New Year's support of Mden 6,000 for each pensioner," Kovachevski noted among other. 

Photo: SDSM