Diesel Rises to 104.5 Denars Per Liter at Midnight, Petrol Falls — SDSM: Mickoski Rejected Relief Measures, Citizens Pay the Price

The new fuel prices take effect at midnight on September 22, according to the decision of the Energy Regulatory Commission. Under the new decision, diesel will sell for 104.5 denars per liter — 5.5 denars more expensive — while petrol drops by 1.5 denars: 95-octane petrol at 99 denars and 98-octane at 101 denars. Extra-light heating oil falls by 7 denars to 102.5 denars, while fuel oil becomes more expensive.

The diesel price hike was met with a sharp reaction from the opposition. SDSM called it a fresh blow to family budgets, farmers, transporters and the entire economy, accusing Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski of rejecting proposed measures to protect citizens.

According to SDSM, the party had proposed concrete measures in time: scrapping the excise duty, cutting VAT to 5 percent, and a €600 minimum wage. “Mickoski rejected these proposals, while citizens pay the price of these policies,” the response said.

In its statement, the opposition accuses the Government of spending on activities that are not a priority for citizens: “There are €5.5 million for a DJ for one evening, but no money for protective measures for citizens. There are €200 million for criminal tenders, but none for farmers. There is money for Mickoski’s 50-member delegation and the plane, but none for the minimum wage.”

According to SDSM, the rising cost of living is increasingly weighing on citizens’ living standards: the consumer basket has reached about 90,000 denars, while a large share of wages is not enough to cover basic monthly needs. The party also estimates that every fuel price hike increases state budget revenues from taxes.

Source: Fokus