North Macedonia faces SDSM leadership crisis and pension debates

North Macedonia is experiencing significant political tension regarding the leadership of the SDSM party and the stability of the national pension system. The 'Conversations for the Future in 12:05' platform has called for structural changes within SDSM, arguing that current leader Venko Filipče does not represent the party membership. The platform aims to consolidate the opposition without forming a new political entity. SDSM has rejected these claims, accusing the platform of being a government-linked attempt to divert attention from allegations against Prime Minister Christian Mickoski.

Simultaneously, a debate has emerged over the country's pension fund. SDSM leader Venko Filipče warned of a 1 billion euro deficit in the pension and disability insurance fund, which he claims threatens future payments. In response, the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party dismissed these claims as political panic, asserting that the fund is stable and that pensions have increased by approximately 7,000 denars over the last two years.

Separately, pensions in North Macedonia are set to increase by 3 percent starting in October. This adjustment follows a legal formula based on the growth of living costs and average net wages. Under this percentage-based system, higher pensions will see a larger increase in absolute denars compared to lower pensions.