The opposition SDSM has gone on the attack over the announcement of early elections. "No money, no results - that's why Mickoski is rushing to elections," Andrej Žernovski said at a press conference, claiming the prime minister contradicted himself after spending months denying an early vote, only to now announce it for "soon".

According to Žernovski, the reason for the rush is an empty state treasury and a falling rating. He cited figures that, if accurate, are not small: by his account, poverty has risen by 22 percent, foreign investment has fallen by 60, and agricultural subsidies have been cut by 40 million euros. "Everything with Mickoski is a lie," was his sharpest line.

As with every press conference before an election, the numbers come wrapped in politics and should be read with that dose of scepticism - this is the voice of an opposition that wants power, not a neutral report. But the logic it offers isn't baseless: if the government really had results to show, why would it rush to elections before showing them?

That is the question left hanging over every announcement of an early vote, no matter who makes it. Elections are called when the timing suits someone - and the timing rarely suits the one who has something to show. Whether the treasury is empty as the opposition claims, or full as the government will claim, the citizen will feel it on their own bank balance long before they read it in any report.