Skopje, 14 December 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated that the budget is liquid and all current obligations are being met. December 15 was set as a deadline, not for closing the treasury, but as the date by which institutions must submit their current expenditures to ensure timely completion of payments rather than leaving them unfinished and carried over to the next year. He noted that while it is advisable for institutions to meet the deadline, submissions after that date will still be accepted.

Mickoski underlined that the opposition’s claims that the budget is empty are an attempt to create fear and panic among citizens and gain cheap, short-term political points. He emphasized that the government is not only meeting current obligations but also addressing the damage from seven years of their governance. There is money for all payments, including annual leave allowance, also known as K-15 in public administration.

“I never said the treasury would be closed; we set December 15 as the recommended date for all institutions to submit their current needs, expenditures, and all funds to be transferred to creditors. I noted that there is room for tolerance. If someone submits on December 20, it doesn’t mean the work is done or the door is closed. Tolerance will be allowed, but the key point is to work with a plan, be conscious of timely execution, establish habits, and follow through on all planned tasks. That is the core,” Mickoski said after visiting the renovated Butel police station.

He emphasized that last year he experienced everything happening at the last minute, and as a result, some tasks remained unfinished because, as he pointed out, it was physically impossible to complete everything.

Asked whether there will be a K-15 payment for public administration, Mickoski responded affirmatively. “There will be again this year, in accordance with the law,” he said, reminding that last year such a compensation was paid to employees for the first time.

In response to SDSM’s claims that the budget is empty and funds are lacking, leading to the treasury’s closure on December 15, he said he would respond to them because “SDSM, as an opposition party, has credibility and it is necessary to address their claims, which are absurd, untrue, and inaccurate.”

He further stated that the seven-year “unsuccessful period, during which politically mediocre individuals managed state institutions without responsibility,” must never happen again. He expressed hope that, very soon, with certain changes in the prosecution, that accountability will be established.

Photo: MIA