The opposition SDSM accused PM Hristijan Mickoski of using another national holiday to deepen divisions among citizens, criticizing his remarks during the September 8 celebration marking 35 years of Macedonia’s independence.
Mickoski said that “the dregs” of society must not defeat the elite, prompting a strong reaction from SDSM. Party official Andrej Zhernovski accused the government of reviving what he called the “Dregs” campaign, which he said divides citizens, fuels hatred and resembles some of the darkest periods in Macedonian history. Mickoski responded that he had not mentioned anyone by name and that “they recognized themselves”.
His remarks came during a speech in which he also urged an end to treating public office as a privilege, the state as political spoils and public funds as a personal treasury. He said that if a state rewards the “dregs” rather than hard work, they will become the elite.