Prilep, 10 September 2026 (MIA) -- Life is much better now than three years ago and it will be even better in three years, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski promised Thursday in response to criticism from the opposition that the country's gross domestic product was not enough.

Mickoski said he sometimes refrained from commenting on the opposition, claiming that "what it says is a complete lie and an unsubstantiated statement, of course."

"In this case," the prime minister said, "given the country's situation we inherited 25-26 months ago -- destroyed institutions, a plundered economy, a state on its knees, disappointed and demotivated citizens -- I can say that no matter how much they want to disparage what this government is doing now, we all have to agree that life is much better today than it was three years ago, and I promise you life will be even better in three years from now." 

Mickoski said this was his government's goal. He said they were motivated to deliver tangible projects and investments improving the living standard.

"We draw inspiration entirely from the support by the citizens and I am extremely grateful for it," he said. 

Mickoski said he never claimed "that things are ideal." 

"They're not," he said. "To err is human, but it is much better than three years ago. We all have to agree that it is so." mr/