English
The increase in pensions implemented by this government is 16 times greater than what SDSM achieved, stated Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski today.
Responding to a journalist’s question regarding wage and pension growth compared to the previous administration, Mickoski dismissed opposition criticisms concerning the standard of living as merely a “PR stunt” devised by consultants to humanize the opposition. “But the bad news for them is that they lack the credibility to make such claims, given that they had seven years to improve citizens’ quality of life. Instead, they further robbed the people—and not only did they rob them, but they humiliated and sold them out,” Mickoski said while answering questions following a visit to the Cair heating plant, where Tessa Energy opened a new cogenerative plant.
According to Mickoski, problems still exist and are being addressed, but—as he emphasized—life today is far better than it was three years ago.
I am not saying the situation is perfect right now. Yes, we have problems, and we are solving them. I am not claiming we are living in a land of milk and honey. However, I maintain—and we must agree on this, just as citizens do in every public opinion poll—that life today is much better than it was three years ago. There are no more gangs, no more crime, no racketeering, no ‘marijuana economy,’ and no kickbacks from the Lottery… None of that exists anymore. Instead, the funds are returning to the citizens; it is all about the people. That is the difference, said the Prime Minister .
Mickoski added that global challenges—such as the war in Ukraine, the escalating Middle East crisis, and instability in the Persian Gulf—are making life more difficult everywhere in the world, but that the Government is motivated to turn these crises into opportunities for progress.
I am convinced—because we are more motivated than ever and inspired by the citizens’ support—that in three years, things will be much better than they are today. Yes, life will still be hard then; it won’t be easy, because living conditions are tough everywhere in the world given the current challenges. You see, something new happens every day—take, for instance, yesterday’s developments involving the Houthis, the ongoing escalation of hostilities in the Persian Gulf, the war in Ukraine, and so on. These are challenges that will persist; they won’t end quickly. Amidst all this crisis, we must recognize the situation and seize the opportunity to move forward. That is the essence of this Government and its work, Mickoski stated.