SDA Club will not support the BiH Institutions' Budget for 2023, nor the modernization of the BiH Armed Forces

(Patria) - The SDA Club will not support the Draft Budget of BiH institutions, although it supports the increase in salaries for 23,000 employees. This year's budget has been increased by 23 percent.

Opposition MPs objected to the fact that no possibility for amendments was left, given that it is being adopted under an urgent procedure.

The SDA announced a conclusion that will seek an increase in funds for the procurement of helicopters for the BiH Armed Forces.

Jasmin Emrić (NES) stated that he is not satisfied with the funds planned for the Ministry of Defence of BiH.

"I believe that the increase in the base and salary is justified because the material status is improving. The simultaneous increase in salaries for appointed and elected officials is not justified, so I call on my colleagues to adopt the proposed amendments to the law from the first point," said Emrić.

He added that the servicing of foreign debt amounts to 1,245,000,000 KM and that loans are coming due faster than could have been imagined.

"The planned budget for the MoD is 392 million KM, which means the budget is lower than requested. I believe that the total budget of the MoD should have been increased much more because the modernization and development of the BiH Armed Forces cannot be carried out. There is nothing about pilot training, helicopter procurement, or equipment renewal. Without these, the BiH Armed Forces will not be able to achieve the strategic goal of improvement and modernization," said Emrić.

He expressed concern about the insufficient number of border police officers and the personnel deficit.