The process of adopting the Bosnia and Herzegovina state budget for this year has been halted at the level of the Fiscal Council of BiH, after the State Minister of Finance failed to vote for the country’s fiscal framework. The minister maintains that there is still time for a decision.
Signals of a possible blockade in the adoption of the 2026 state budget first emerged through a social media announcement. BiH Deputy Minister of Finance Muhamed Hasanović accused Finance Minister Srđan Amidžić of obstructing the adoption of the BiH fiscal framework, despite the fact that the document was proposed by Amidžić himself.
The fiscal framework, officially submitted by the Minister of Finance, had previously been agreed upon between Minister Amidžić and Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Borjana Krišto, and was forwarded to the Fiscal Council for consideration. While all other members of the Fiscal Council voted in favour of the framework, representatives from Republika Srpska, including Minister Amidžić, chose not to support it by abstaining from the vote.
Although Hasanović stated in an official letter that he was available for additional clarifications, he said his calls went unanswered. In contrast, Minister Amidžić responded through a letter sent to the media, stating that voting on the fiscal framework remains open until 9 February, a claim also confirmed by the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska.
Prime Minister Savo Minić criticised the communication within the Fiscal Council, saying that the issue could have been resolved earlier. He stated that representatives from Republika Srpska requested an additional seven days in writing, until Monday, to address the matter.
Due to conflicting messages coming from within the State Ministry of Finance, it remains unclear who is required to vote on the fiscal framework and by what deadline. Journalist Rubina Čengić believes the situation reflects the beginning of a pre-election campaign.
She warned that the situation is particularly harmful to the public, noting that many citizens do not fully understand the implications of such blockages, while the media and the public are exposed to political manipulation and irresponsibility.
Opposition representatives say the message is clear. Delegate of the Bosniak Club in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Dženan Đonlagić, stressed that without a decision on the global fiscal framework, the budget procedure cannot move forward.
“Without a decision on the fiscal framework, the budget cannot reach the Council of Ministers. Once again, we are witnessing destructive policies by SNSD officials, who behave as if the higher they are within BiH institutions, the better it is for them,” Đonlagić said.
He also warned that the Council of Ministers is already violating the Law on the BiH Budget by failing to adopt the draft budget for this year within the prescribed deadline. According to him, this threatens the livelihoods of around 23,000 employees in state institutions who are still waiting for a promised salary increase.
Radenko Mirković from the Independent Trade Union of Employees in BiH Institutions said workers’ patience is running out, warning of possible protests.
“Our patience is at an end. Elections are approaching, political parties are undermining each other more and more, and essential decisions are not being made. If the next session brings no results, we will be forced to organise protests, and they may be radical,” Mirković said.
It is becoming increasingly likely that Bosnia and Herzegovina will once again operate under a temporary financing regime this year, meaning funds will be available only for basic expenditures and servicing external debt.
