[REVISION HISTORY]

Macedonian political opposition to Mickoski government

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2026-08-28 16:56 UTC → 2026-08-28 21:47 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Venko Filipce, leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), has intensified political opposition against Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s administration. On August 24, Filipce declared the SDSM prepared for early parliamentary elections, criticizing the government for economic stagnation, declining foreign investment, and a nearly 200 million euro debt for VAT refunds. He also raised concerns regarding the non-functional state of the PET center and its impact on cancer patients. By August 25, the opposition’s focus expanded to resource management. Filipce called for national mobilization to oppose the construction of data centers, alleging the government is prioritizing corporate profits by sacrificing water and electricity supplies. He specifically highlighted an attempt to advance a data center project in Pehčevo ‘under the radar,’ which was subsequently removed from the agenda following public and SDSM pressure. ~~Filipce~~ He warned that massive water requirements for cooling could jeopardize supplies for citizens and the agricultural sector, and that high electricity consumption could drive up utility costs. He further cited claims that a company had secured 100 MW of electricity and access to the Vardar River, accusing the government of operating ‘under the table.’ In response, VMRO-DPMNE representative Mile Lefkov dismissed the claims as ‘hysteria,’ arguing that the government is working to modernize the country. On August 27, Prime Minister Mickoski ~~defended~~ reaffirmed the ~~strategy, stating that~~ government's commitment to becoming a regional leader in the data ~~centers are essential for economic development and GDP, comparing~~ center industry, describing it as the ~~technology to global giants like Nvidia and Amazon.~~ ‘irreversible future of humanity.’ He noted that while local authorities manage certain private investments, such as in Berovo, the ~~administration~~ state is ~~in negotiations with several potential investors, including~~ working on its own digital protection capacities and a ~~major multinational corporation. On August 28,~~ national data center through the EU Reform Agenda. In response to these developments, VMRO-DPMNE ~~further criticized Filipce, accusing~~ has accused the SDSM of ~~attempting to ‘spread panic~~ spreading ‘panic and ~~chaos’~~ hysteria’ and using ‘unscientific’ arguments regarding ~~national development. The party argued~~ environmental and energy impacts. Conversely, the SDSM maintains that the ~~opposition~~ government is ~~attempting to turn modernization opportunities into sources of~~ gambling with public ~~fear rather than engaging in reasoned debate based on expert analysis.~~ resources and the stability of the national energy system without a clear plan for cost distribution.

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