Skopje, 29 January 2025 (MIA) – Starting today, rigorous inspections will be conducted in markets and other shops, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said. This morning, as he stated, he held a coordination meeting with the Minister of Economy and Labour, the President of the Commission for Protection of Competition and the Director of the State Market Inspectorate.

“We have agreed on steps that will be implemented starting today. During yesterday’s press conference, two supermarket chains were mentioned by your colleagues as potentially violating laws and procedures. These supermarket chains will undergo rigorous inspections today and in the following days. According to our data, each supermarket chains serves around 20,000 clients, and an in-depth review will be necessary to assess whether such irregularities exist. Other shops will also face these inspections because ensuring a high standard of living for our citizens is our priority. As a government, we are committed to taking all necessary actions to protect it,” said Mickoski in response to reporters' questions following his visit to the ‘Goce Delchev’ army barracks in Skopje.

Regarding the price increases in certain markets, the government sees this as an attack on citizens’ living standards, PM Mickoski said.

“Everyone should know that we are serious, and we see this as an attack on the standard of living of our citizens. The government has both the right and the duty to protect the public interest and the well-being of its citizens,” Mickoski underlined.

On Tuesday, he supported the announced call for boycott of shops scheduled for Friday, noting that “from the beginning, he has been speaking about individuals in this business who want to profit through speculations.”

Photo/video: MIA