Macedonian SDSM lawmaker Natasa Popovic denounces budget rebalancing

At a press conference, Natasa Popovic, a member of the executive board of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), said the proposed budget rebalancing will not bring development, higher wages or fiscal stability, but will increase uncertainty for citizens.

She warned that the deficit would rise from 3% to 4.1% of GDP and that public debt could exceed 61.5% by the end of the year, with the inflation forecast lifted from 2.5% to 4.5%, eroding purchasing power.

The rebalancing also cuts funding for fire‑protection, demographic policies, youth programmes, investment support, child protection and other social programmes, putting social payments and pension disbursements at risk.

SDSM will submit amendments seeking additional resources for social protection, people with disabilities, shelters for domestic‑violence victims, health, education, defence salaries, fire services and agricultural support, urging the government to cut "luxury" expenses and redirect them to citizens' needs.