Skopje, 9 February 2026 (MIA) - The Parliament on Tuesday will resume work despite the scheduled protest of the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) at 9 am, said Speaker Afrim Gashi. He told Monday's press briefing he expects a peaceful protest, adding that there will be no additional security at the building of the Parliament.

"We discussed the protest at today's coordination with parliamentary groups. We agreed that all coordinators will talk to the MPs to find a way to attend the session, without interfering with the citizens' right to protest. We need to resume work, while safeguarding the right to protest. There will be no special security at the Parliament building. The Ministry of Interior is taking all necessary measures. I hope that everything will be peaceful and under control. They will hold a protest, we will work," Gashi told reporters. 

Asked to comment on the unions' demands, Gashi said he believes the problem cannot be resolved only by increasing wages.

"In principle, we are all fighting for the well-being of citizens. That is our top priority, but it cannot be resolved only by increasing wages. If it were up to me, I would immediately raise all wages. The entire economic picture needs to be considered. I believe we should level salaries by priority, determine which offices are the most important in the state. Take it from there – President, Parliament Speaker, Prime Minister, MP, director, teachers, doctors… and have a fairer pay structures. I believe it would be the fairest way to resolve that problem," said Gashi.

On whether the MPs are willing to meet the workers' demands for EUR 600 minimum wage and a linear increase of Mden 6,000 (EUR 97) for all other wages, Gashi said each political party will take its own position.

As regards the procedure for a working group on the Electoral Code, Gashi said all proposals have been submitted to the Ministry of Justice and it is expected to convene a constitutive session of the working group.

Commenting on the Law on Government, i.e. on the abolition of caretaker government, Gashi said no proposal has been received so far. He added that a plenary session scheduled for February 18 will include questions from opposition MPs.

Photo: MIA archive / Parliament