Skopje, 1 April 2026 (MIA) – SDSM leader Venko Filipche on Wednesday accused the government and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski of betraying the country’s national interests, economic stagnation and political party influence on the judiciary. 

The prime minister, stressed Filipche, by blocking the country’s European path is pushing it into isolation.

“The prime minister confirmed he doesn’t want the country to join the EU and he intents to keep it isolated, far away from Europe. It means no reforms, no European control, which according to him, could last for decades. He wants to keep future generations, children and all the citizens hostage so they can steal taxpayer’s money through tenders,” Filipche told Wednesday’s press briefing. 

Regarding the economy, he accused the government of not taking any measures despite the prices of basic good products and fuel skyrocketing. The minimum wage is not sufficient enough for making ends meet and consumer basket costs have increased.

The prime minister, Filipche said, is detached from reality for not ordering intervention to curb price hikes. 

Referring to the energy crisis and the judiciary, the SDSM leader called on the government to assess fuel reserves and provide new supply sources warning the country could be left without energy sources if import ban was enforced. 

Asked to comment on the decision of the chief public prosecutor, Nenad Saveski, to exclude prosecutor Lenche Ristoska from the cases in which the ruling party is indicted, Filipche once again accused the government of exerting political party influence on the judiciary.

“This only a segment of the established practice of the government, when Judicial Council members, judges and prosecutors were installed. Even back then we had warned about the judiciary falling under political influence,” stated Filipche. 

Photo: MIA 

Фото: МИА