Greece and North Macedonia face divergent economic shifts

economic policy minimum wage public debt tax relief Balkan economy

In Greece, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a four-year economic plan featuring a 2.2 billion euro support package. Key measures include raising the minimum wage to 1,000 euros by 2028, providing annual bonuses for pensioners and public sector workers, and implementing tax relief for farmers and families with three children. The plan aims to bolster middle-class incomes and reduce the tax burden ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections.

In North Macedonia, the political landscape is marked by sharp economic disagreements. The SDSM opposition has accused Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s government of mismanaging public debt, claiming the country is heading toward 12 billion euros in debt. They specifically alleged that the government is attempting to hide the 350 million euro debt of the Public Enterprise for State Roads (JPDP) from official figures. Conversely, Prime Minister Mickoski has projected annual GDP growth between 3.5% and 4%, citing strong economic activity in the second quarter of 2026.

Entities

Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoška · Greece · Hristijan Mickoski · Kyriakos Mitsotakis · North Macedonia · Public Enterprise for State Roads · SDSM · Simona Cvetanovska · Social Democratic Union of Macedonia · VMRO-DPMNE

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The government is leading North Macedonia toward 12 billion euros in debt. press24.mk · a1on.mk
[● 8 SOURCES] The 350 million euro debt of the Public Enterprise for State Roads (JPDP) is being excluded from public debt figures. press24.mk · a1on.mk · opserver.mk · sitel.com.mk · shenja.tv · +2 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The government has decided on a new borrowing of 1.3 billion euros. press24.mk · a1on.mk · opserver.mk · sitel.com.mk · sdsm.org.mk · +2 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski projects annual GDP growth between 3.5% and 4%. nacionalno.mk · sitel.com.mk · almakos.com
[● 8 SOURCES] The SDSM opposition claims the government is leading North Macedonia toward 12 billion euros in debt. opserver.mk · press24.mk · sitel.com.mk · shenja.tv · sdsm.org.mk · +2 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Greece plans to increase the minimum wage to 1,000 euros by the beginning of 2028. e-79.com · trn.mk · www.ekoturk.com · zonanews.bg · ekonomijaibiznis.mk · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a 2.2 billion euro economic and social support package. e-79.com · trn.mk · www.ekoturk.com · zonanews.bg · ekonomijaibiznis.mk · +2 more
[● 4 SOURCES] North Macedonia's economy grew by 4.3% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. sitel.com.mk · vmro-dpmne.org.mk · nacionalno.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] Economic acceleration in North Macedonia is largely driven by budget spending, particularly in the construction sector. nacionalno.mk