Amidžić criticized Helez: Absurd request for budget increase, are we preparing to attack someone?

(Patria) - BiH Minister of Finance and Treasury Srđan Amidžić said today after the session of the BiH Council of Ministers that he received unrealistic requests from 75 budget users for its adoption in the upcoming 2024. He called such requests absurd.

He said that some budget users are arrogant and that the request reaches a record 2.8 billion KM, while the budget for this year is 1.3 billion KM.

“This arrogance refers to certain budget users. Such a request is, I will submit a larger budget request to get at least half of this. This is unacceptable and will not receive the ministry's support. If we go back and rewind the speeches from the election campaign, we said that we are taking care of infrastructure projects, the material status of citizens. These budget requests are a parallel financial universe and have nothing to do with reality and they come out with a request of 2.8 billion KM. They should bear responsibility if the budget is not adopted. They should be held accountable for the eventual non-adoption of the budget,” said the minister.

He added that he will never sign such a budget proposal.

“The economic reality is different. BiH institutions lack 37 million KM for 2024 to close expenses at the 2023 level. Imagine a situation where we have a lack of funds, and you have certain budget users with these requests.”

He added that the Ministry of Defense, Border Police, MFA, SIPA, and agencies requested the most money, and if they do not show understanding, we will not be able to adopt the budget.

“Instead of showing understanding and using funds more rationally, the Ministry of Defense comes out with a request that is financially absurd in economic terms. This budget of nearly 1.8 billion KM for 2024 from the Ministry of Defense is larger than all 75 budget users combined. I thought they would lead in rationalization, not these absurd requests. This is four times larger than the budget from before. This is 4% of BiH's GDP. Japan spends 1% of GDP on defense, and Germany 3%. They want modernization of infantry equipment along with the modernization of light armored vehicles. I don't understand this item. I also don't understand the next item that creates fear, modernization of artillery equipment, self-propelled howitzers 155 millimeters, modernization of equipment and armored battalion, modernization of aviation assets and helicopter procurement. Modernization of nuclear, biological, and chemical defense assets, and this is the first time I'm hearing about it. When I come from RS and don't support this, don't say it's politically motivated. I will remind you that BiH borders Croatia and Montenegro as NATO members and Serbia, the question arises whether we expect some conflicts or God forbid, are we going to attack Serbia or the NATO alliance? An absurd financial request from this budget user,” said Minister Amidžić.