Skopje, 11 September 2026 (MIA) - For the third time, SDSM's parliamentary group will propose a draft law for an increase of the minimum wage to EUR 600, or Mden 36.960, said SDSM leader Venko Filipche at a press conference in Parliament on Friday.

Filipche said amid a crisis and constant price hikes, it is impossible to have a dignified lief with the current minimum wage of Mden 26.000 (EUR 423).

"At this moment, the minimum wage is Mden 26.000. We believe that during a crisis, when fuel and food prices are so high, this minimum wage is absolutely insufficient for a good and dignified life. Over 70 percent of workers in the country live on income between the minimum and average wage. When the consumer basket stands at almost Mden 70.000, or over Mden 90.000 if we also account for rent or a housing loan, the current minimum wage barely covers 31 to 37 percent of total expenses of a single family," Filipche said.

The opposition leader said the measure can be financed by "cutting down on luxury expenses from the budget, such as the procurement of furniture, cars, and travel expenses of officials". While for the private sector, Filipche said the party would put forward measures for subsidizing contributions, so businesses aren't overburdened.

Asked to comment on the Supreme Court's decision to revoke the verdict in the "Laskarci" trial, Filipche stressed the sole way to restore trust in the judicial system is to open negotiations with the European Union.

"I don't want to comment on judicial decisions, but I believe that in a situation when trust in the judiciary is exceptionally low, the sole way to restore trust in the judiciary is to have a European judiciary. And that is the concept of getting closer to the European Union, to opening clusters, negotiations, and so on. This means the presence of the European prosecution in the country, and courts with European criteria in which no one will ever be spared. That is the only thing that is a ray of hope for our citizens that we can have a good country. We need to strengthen the system so the citizens can restore their trust in the judiciary," Filipche said.

MIA file photo