Hasanović proposes increasing BiH budget by 40 million KM: 30 million for BHRT, stable funding for culture in focus

(Patria) - Deputy Minister of Finance and Treasury of Bosnia and Herzegovina Muhamed Hasanović proposed corrections to the fiscal framework for 2026, warning that the current proposal does not meet the actual needs of state-level institutions.

As the fiscal framework for next year has not yet been adopted, Hasanović believes there is room for its improvement, especially considering the continuous growth of indirect tax revenues. At the same time, the budget framework for BiH institutions has been practically frozen for years at the level of 1.02 billion KM.

In this context, the proposed increase of only 10 million KM was assessed as insufficient, and Hasanović proposes an additional budget increase of 40 million KM in 2026, with a clear multi-year projection.

According to his proposal, for 2026, an allocation of 30 million KM is planned for BHRT as an intervention measure to stabilize the public RTV system, while 10 million KM would be directed to cultural institutions of state importance.

For the period 2027–2028, a continuous allocation of 10 million KM annually for culture is foreseen, which would ensure stable and systemic financing for these institutions for the first time.

The distribution of funds for cultural institutions is precisely defined, including the National and University Library of BiH and the National Museum of BiH with 2.1 million KM each, the Art Gallery of BiH and the Historical Museum of BiH with 1.3 million KM each, the Museum of Literature and Theatre Arts of BiH with 1.1 million KM, and the Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired of BiH and the BiH Cinematheque with 1.05 million KM each.

These funds are intended for employee salaries and contributions, regular operating costs, as well as capacity and infrastructure development, with the aim of preserving cultural heritage and increasing access to culture for all citizens.

Hasanović emphasizes that the proposed measures represent a fiscally sustainable and development-justified model, based on real revenues and many years of stagnation in the budget framework.

By combining one-time assistance to BHRT and multi-year financing of cultural institutions, he points out, stability of key public interest systems is ensured.

He also warned that, if a political agreement is not reached, the possibility remains that the solution will be imposed with the authorization of the High Representative, which, as he stated, has already been the case in previous situations.