Drama in the House of Peoples: Bill on Amendments to Budget Laws Passed After Repeat Vote

SARAJevo, (Patria) - The House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament concluded the debate on the Proposal for the Budget of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2022, the Proposal for the Law on the Execution of the Budget of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2022, and the Proposal for the Law on Amendments to the Law on Budgets in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

While awaiting the FBiH Government's response to amendments to the first two proposals, delegates voted on the Proposal for the Law on Amendments to the Law on Budgets in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which did not receive the necessary majority.

Then, the Club of Croats requested a break, after which the same Club requested an individual vote.

After the individual vote, the Proposal for the Law on Amendments to the Law on Budgets in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina received the necessary support, with 32 delegates voting in favor, 14 against, and five abstaining.

Debate:

"I will again note and ask if there is any point in submitting amendments, even if the Government says they are good, how will we reconcile the obligation to adopt the identical text with the House of Representatives," delegate Damir Marjanović said at the beginning of the budget debate in the House of Peoples.

"The FBiH Government firmly resists any intention to increase spending on science and education by even one mark," he added.

Alisa Hajdarević stated that the budget is unacceptable to her because the amendment she and several deputies in the House of Representatives submitted for funds intended for Mostar was rejected.

Elmedin Konaković asked if Prime Minister Fadil Novalić's rehearsed performance was financed from the budget for the transparency of the FBiH Government's work. "I want you to provide me in writing how you selected the agency and media you work with," Konaković said. He accused Novalić of using marketing tricks.

"Congratulations to HDZ, you are brilliantly leading your policies, and SDA is accommodating and fulfilling them for you," Konaković added.

Damir Džeba and Alisa Hajdarević replied to each other regarding the construction of the Croatian National Theatre in Mostar, and whether it has the necessary building permits or not. Hajdarević claims that in the zone where construction is planned, it is actually prohibited by an earlier decision of the City Council, while Džeba claimed that HNK has all the necessary building permits.

Vibor Handžić said in the debate that the Draft Budget in the House of Peoples was such a shock that people wanted to touch it with their hands because they couldn't believe the budget had been returned to the regular procedure.

"I suggest you exhibit that draft in the National Museum," Handžić said.

Aner Žuljević stated that the FBiH has recorded an annual economic decline, and that our country is among the worst economies in Europe.

"No one has taken more money from the citizens of BiH in their two mandates and ruined it, and these are data from the Audit Office," Žuljević said. Prices are rising, pensioners have reached a situation where they skip meals to have therapy or skip therapy to have meals due to inflation, Žuljević pointed out.

Delegate Senad Čeljo requested several clarifications related to the budget, such as transfers for the reconstruction of healthcare institutions of importance to the FBiH, and the second question concerns the construction of the Hranjen tunnel, i.e., the technique and dynamics of its construction.

Jasmin Duvnjak said that funds for road infrastructure, significant support for returnees, and the veteran population through a set of laws have been secured through the budget... "We have secured funds for development in all 10 cantons and for all municipalities and cities. What I will emphasize concerns a small suggestion, the Club of delegates of the Bosniak people requests that the House of Peoples task the FBiH Government to distribute 10 million KM for municipalities and cities in a way that 5 million is distributed to all municipalities and cities, and the remaining 5 million to particularly underdeveloped municipalities. With a second conclusion, we request that the FBiH Government be tasked with providing assistance to the most vulnerable categories of the population until the stabilization of inflation and the economy," Duvnjak said.

Ivo Tadić warned that they should adopt the budget by midnight because they could be "accused of an April Fools' joke and not passing the budget within the legal deadline."

"The Club of Croats will support the budget, and I hope we will finish this within the foreseen deadline," Tadić added.