DUI demands urgent measures against price increases: Wages plus 3500 denars and freezing of basic products

Macedonia

Express newspaper

13/03/2026 11:14

The Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) has reacted to the continued increase in prices of basic products and oil derivatives, accusing the Government and the Ministry of Economy of a lack of response at a time when citizens are facing an increase in the cost of living.

According to the DUI, for more than a week, citizens have been facing increases in the prices of basic products and fuel, while the competent institutions have remained silent without taking concrete measures to alleviate the pressure on family budgets. The party emphasizes that the situation is expected to worsen further, as a new increase in the prices of fuel is expected from Monday.

According to them, this increase will be directly reflected in the prices of transportation, food and services, further increasing the cost of living for citizens and businesses. DUI estimates that in such a situation, institutions should react with concrete economic policies to stabilize the market and protect the purchasing power of citizens. However, according to them, no plan or package of measures has been presented by the Government so far. In its reaction, DUI proposes several measures that, according to the party, can be implemented immediately to mitigate the consequences of price increases.

Among the main proposals are: a linear increase in salaries by 3.500 denars starting from the March salary; a temporary freeze on the prices of basic food products; the activation of state oil reserves, which according to the DUI were purchased at a price lower than 70 denars per liter, in order to cushion the shock to the market; the provision of vouchers of 3.000 denars for employees who travel to work outside their place of residence, to compensate for the increase in transportation costs.

According to the DUI, these are feasible measures that can be taken immediately if there is institutional will. "Citizens need a quick response and economic policies that protect them in times of crisis. Institutional silence is not the answer to rising prices," the party said in its response.