Skopje, 14 November 2025 (MIA) — Drafting the national budget for 2026 was challenging, primarily due to the fiscal consolidation measures the government needed to take, but the use of public funds would remain rational and disciplined, Minister of Finance Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska told Sitel TV in an interview Friday evening.

"It was challenging to draft the 2026 budget, considering that we had committed to fiscal consolidation, which we expected the previous government to implement. But this was not the case and unlike neighboring countries that managed to consolidate, we were left with that challenge," Dimitrieska Kochoska said.

Another challenge was that the country had to pay a debt of EUR 2 billion euros in 2026, which "the previous government spent through evil and uncontrolled spending," she said, assuring citizens this was not new debt.  

"On the contrary, our goal is to stabilize and consolidate public debt, which we believe we will achieve earlier than the projected deadlines," the finance minister said.

She also addressed criticism of alleged welfare cuts, saying guaranteed minimum assistance was cut because welfare recipients were integrated into the workforce.

"There are reactions to welfare cuts, but no one is talking about the guaranteed minimum assistance. Over the last year, thanks to the Ministry of Social Policy's good management, we have had serious reductions in this cost because a great deal of those people are healthy, able-bodied people who can work and in these conditions of labor shortage, they found jobs through the labor market," Dimitrieska Kochoska said, adding that people with disabilities would still receive welfare benefits.

The minister said pensions would be adjusted in line with legal obligations, including the upcoming April increase of about Mden 1,000. She said the minimum wage would also be adjusted in line with the legal methodology.

According to Dimitrieska Kochoska, the 2026 budget is "realistic and responsible." 

"Citizens can rest assured the state is financially stable, all obligations have been covered, the pensions and salaries are safe and the capital projects are indeed being implemented," she said. mr/