The House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PABiH) was supposed to consider yesterday the budget of state institutions in the amount of one and a half billion BAM under urgent procedure. The opposition had already announced that it would not support the budget, nor would the deputies of one of the ruling parties, the SNSD. Can this document pass parliamentary procedure?
The budget proposal includes funds for financing seven state cultural institutions, which, since the beginning of the year, have been under temporary financing. The staff of the National and University Library of BiH (NUBBiH) sent a letter to deputies for the adoption of the budget.
The appeal of the NUBBiH employees, by all accounts, will not influence the required majority for the budget to be adopted. The minister of finance had earlier clearly stated that for the SNSD, the budget is unacceptable because, as he claims, it is illegal and deficient, and ignores the needs of 23.000 employees in BiH institutions.
The House of Representatives of the PABiH adopted a conclusion by which the Draft Law on the Budget of BiH Institutions and International Obligations of the State for 2025 is returned for revision to the Presidency of BiH.
“The budget proposal of BiH institutions is not analytically and substantively structured in the part concerning salary and allowance increases for policemen, soldiers, and employees in BiH institutions; therefore, it is being returned for revision to the Presidency of BiH,” said Chairman Marinko Cavara.
Deputy Minister of Finance of BiH Muhamed Hasanovic said that he only received the budget at 10 a.m.
“The document before you has shortcomings in the technical and economic sense. There is no point in me explaining it, because certain funds are planned in total, but not broken down by institutions, and that is essentially unenforceable,” said Hasanovic.
Member of Parliament from PDP in the House of Representatives of the PABiH, Branislav Borenovic, commenting on the budget proposal that was to be on yesterday’s urgent session before MPs, stated that the Presidency of BiH sent a budget in which neither revenue nor expenditure items agree, that it should have been record-breaking in the country’s history, but in fact shows a great disgrace.
“This was done by someone who does not want the budget to be adopted. This was done by someone who has no regard for the 23 thousand workers employed in the joint institutions of BiH. They sent two key tables that differ by 15 million; 15 million slipped through,” said Srdjan Amidzic on August 27th, Minister of Finance and Treasury of BiH.
The opposition from Republika Srpska (RS) will also not vote for the budget. Deputies are dissatisfied because they did not receive the budget in time.
“We have no intention of voting for the urgent procedure, because a budget without consultation with us we will certainly not support,” said Mladen Bosic, MP from SDS in PABiH.
“We have nothing to do with this proposal. It is a reflection of the incapable and disoriented ruling structure in this country,” added Borislav Borenovic, MP from PDP in PABiH.
This is not the first time that budget adoption has been delayed.
“It is possible that this year will pass without an adopted budget. I think that in these circumstances, that is likely,” said Safet Keso on August 28th, MP from SDA in PABiH.
HDZ BiH has not commented regarding the session and the budget. The parties of the Coalition of the Three remind that adopting the budget is necessary for all.
“This is perhaps one of the best budgets ever made when it comes to the very essence of the budget, because the profit of the Central Bank, which should be included and be part of the budget, of 244 million, is distributed to institutions that are really in need of those funds,” said Muhamed Hasanovic on August 27th, Deputy Minister of Finance and Treasury of BiH.
“That budget is needed by everyone, all institutions that are led by all Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian cadres, and in which Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, and Other citizens work,” said Edin Forto on August 27th, Minister of Communications and Transport of BiH.
“Those amendments we experienced at the Presidency, I would of course support each one of them, but here, only those things that are truly agreed upon can be adopted. We will see what the House of Representatives says,” said Elmedin Konakovic on August 27th, Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH.
Analysts remind that what is at play is a system of blockades and obstructions skillfully used by parties in a position to block processes.
“That sends a message that their interests and the interests of the political parties they come from are more important to them, not the interests of citizens,” said Tanja Topic, political analyst.
The budget of institutions and international obligations foresees, among other things, salary increases for employees in state institutions, financing of equipping the armed forces, seven cultural institutions, and settlement of part of the debts and obligations of Radio-Television of BiH (BHRT). If it gets support in the House of Representatives, it is questionable whether, given the positions of the SNSD, it can pass in the House of Peoples of PABiH.
