HDZ cadres, SDP silent: FBiH Tax Administration under political control

(Patria) - In the political practice of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the thesis that certain institutions are becoming the subject of coalition agreements and political bargaining is increasingly confirmed.

According to available information and political developments, there is a tacit agreement or obligation for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to cede all positions to the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for which that party expresses special interest.

Although the Tax Administration of the Federation of BiH is formally considered an institution under SDP's political influence, due to its organization on a cantonal principle, its management is, in practice, left to the HDZ in cantons where a significant part of the Croatian economy is located. This enables political control over an institution that has a direct impact on the operations of business entities.

A particularly illustrative example is the Central Bosnia Canton (SBK), which according to the latest available data is inhabited by about 43% Bosniaks, 39% Croats, 12% Serbs, and about 6% others. Despite ethnic and political diversity, the SDP ceded the management of the Tax Administration in this canton to the HDZ by appointing Jelena Znahor as the head of the Cantonal Tax Office in Novi Travnik.

What further problematizes this appointment is the fact that it was made bypassing the prescribed legal procedure. Namely, a tender procedure for filling the mentioned position was conducted back in 2021, but no candidate was politically acceptable to the HDZ at the time. The tender was, according to available information, illegally disregarded, and Jelena Znahor, a former employee of the Federal Ministry of Finance and a key witness in the "Respirators" affair, in which she testified in favor of the then Federal Minister of Finance Jelka Miličević, was later appointed to the position.

In political circles, this appointment is interpreted as a kind of reward for political loyalty to the HDZ, rather than as a result of professional and transparent procedures, as should apply to one of the key fiscal institutions in the Federation of BiH.

Control over institutions in cantons where the most significant Croatian business entities are located has clearly become more important than formal coalition agreements, principles of equality, and legality. The consequences of such practice are most felt by entrepreneurs and citizens who do not belong to politically privileged structures, but also by the entire tax system, which should function independently, professionally, and in the interest of all taxpayers.

Concurrently, a warning strike is taking place within the FBiH Tax Administration. However, the authorities seem to be ignoring the appeals of the employees of this institution.

Otherwise, a kind of chaos reigns within the Tax Administration itself. We remind you that on the last day of 2025, the FBiH Government annulled the tender for the director of the FBiH Tax Administration after Muhamed Hasanović refused to take over the position.

Although there was another successful candidate on the ranking list, the Minister of Finance Toni Kraljević did not propose an appointment, but it was decided to announce a new tender. At the same time, Admir Omerbašić was again authorized to manage the Tax Administration until the election of a director, while Slobodan Vukoja was appointed deputy director.

The Government's decision further fueled suspicions that the director's position was reserved for the SDP in advance, rather than being the result of a tender procedure. The entire case gains additional weight considering the "Spengavanje" affair, which is already burdening the Civil Service Agency of the FBiH and raises questions about possible responsibility before POSKOK.