Kešo after failed session: Historic European story turned into historic embarrassment

(Patria) - The non-adoption of the budget of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025 has been transformed from a "historic European story" into a "historic embarrassment", and the proposer's absence from the session is an indicator of serious institutional irresponsibility, stated MP in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH Safet Kešo after the continuation of the emergency session of that house.

"In my life, I have never seen the most important document presented in such a way. For two sessions now, none of the proposers have deigned to come and explain the budget. If at least someone from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury of BiH had greeted the present parliamentarians, we could say they were present," said Kešo.

He emphasized that the Minister of Finance and Treasury of BiH, Srđan Amidžić, regardless of disagreements with the budget, had to be present by virtue of his function and the spirit of service. Instead, the minister, according to him, was in RS, while the Deputy Minister Muhamed Hasanović was in Tešanj at an economic fair.

"The people who expect the budget to be adopted are at their workplaces today, and we parliamentarians were there, without conditions for discussion and adoption," he added.

Kešo reminded that the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) is ready to support any procedure that would lead to the adoption of the budget, including an emergency, shortened, or even regular procedure.

The next opportunity for discussion is only on October 15, after which the House of Peoples of the PSBiH follows, which, as he said, represents a "dark prognosis for the fate of this budget".

He also touched upon institutional failures, stating that members of the Presidency of BiH have never explained the budget before, but have clearly indicated in their conclusions who should perform the technical part. The Council of Ministers of BiH, according to him, did not act as it should have, and the Minister of Finance refused to explain the items that would make the budget implementable.

"The entire state institution has failed," said Kešo, adding that the budget in draft form had already been prepared and sent to the Presidency, which returned it for revision.

The Council of Ministers, as he claims, missed the opportunity to improve the budget, which put the Presidency in a position to act by amendment.

Kešo particularly highlighted the responsibility of the Minister of Finance, recalling that back when he was appointed on August 22, 2023, he asked whether he would block state institutions in favor of entity interests.

"This is now happening, and due to the blockade, BiH risks losing an additional ten percent of funds, which could amount to more than 400 million KM. Convert that into educational or healthcare infrastructure facilities and you will see the extent of the damage. Two concepts are clashing in BiH - pro-European and pro-Russian. The pro-Russian narrative seeks to stop Bosnia and Herzegovina on its European and NATO path. Milorad Dodik is the primary and fundamental culprit for this situation. He is destroying the constitution and the state and pursuing an anti-European agenda," said Kešo, adding that there are still forces that want a European future for BiH.