Who has the money dictates the rules: What is ZNG telling the 'Trojka' with talk of popular projects and empty promises?

By: Amra Vrabac

While negotiations are underway regarding a possible reconstruction of the Sarajevo Canton Government between the 'Trojka' parties (SDP, NIP, NS) and ZNG, the actors are not revealing too many details to the public. Even what they say publicly carries a certain message for their partners.

It is still unknown whether there will be a reconstruction at all, in which at least four ministers would be changed, or if, for the sake of "peace in the house," only the position of the Minister of Communal Affairs, Infrastructure, Construction, Spatial Planning, and Environmental Protection will be filled.

We remind you that Minister Bojan Bošnjak (Our Party) was arrested on November 15 and remanded in custody. First for one month, and then extended for another two months until February 12. He still holds the status of minister during all this time. For one month, the duties were performed by the Ministry's secretary Vildana Smajović, and then the leadership was taken over by the Minister of Transport of Sarajevo Canton Adnan Šteta because the Minister of Justice and Administration Darja Softić-Kadenić (NS) refused to do so.

The president of Our Party, Edin Forto, announced on December 20, stating that they are ready to cede this position to their partners in the Sarajevo Canton Government.

“After analyzing the situation in Sarajevo Canton, the challenges and problems, Our Party invites partners to negotiations on a new composition of the Sarajevo Canton Government. Our Party fully takes responsibility for the current situation in the communal affairs sector, which was caused by the detention of Minister Bojan Bošnjak. In addition to these challenges, we have identified other problems in the work of the coalition and individual sectors, and a revision of this government's work plan is necessary. We expect an analysis of priorities and action in accordance with the budget, which is smaller due to the reduced weight of Sarajevo Canton,” Forto stated.

“Considering the investigation we support, and in order to remove any doubt that Our Party wishes to control processes within communal affairs in any way, we have decided to make the appointment of the minister in this sector available to our partners in the new composition,” Our Party stated at the time.

Several meetings have been held, but for now, it is not clear what the new Sarajevo Canton Government might look like, if it materializes at all. It is interesting that none of the other partners have demanded Bošnjak's immediate dismissal, as is the case with Minister Nenad Nešić at the state level.

Although it was speculated that the position of Prime Minister could be held by a candidate from SDP or NIP, and some well-known names were already mentioned, the most likely scenario is that Nihad Uk remains in that position.

Within the 'Trojka' parties, the question of ZNG's further participation in the Sarajevo Canton Government has also arisen, especially due to increasing criticism that they received two very important portfolios – finance and higher education, while in the Sarajevo Canton Assembly they only have the vote of Damir Marjanović.

However, ZNG has a clear stance. Either a serious reconstruction of the Sarajevo Canton Government, in which they are willing to consider their position, or simply filling the vacant position of Minister of Communal Affairs. Otherwise, ZNG entered the Sarajevo Canton Government solely with the support of Elmedin Konaković.

At the same time as the talks are ongoing, ZNG is making statements about the Sarajevo Canton Budget, implicitly telling their partners that there is no more money for popular and populist projects that are being promised. Although they did not specify what they were referring to, Minister Šteta recently made a promise to young people, who received the smallest subsidies for purchasing their first property in January 2024. Around 1,000 young people received 4,800 KM each, while the public call promised between 10,000 and 12,000 KM. About a hundred young people did not even submit the necessary documentation at the time and did not receive the 4,800 KM. However, Šteta has now decided to ensure payment for these young people as well and promised it for this month, even though Sarajevo Canton is under temporary financing.

“Based on the public call from 2023, 111 applicants out of a total of 1142 did not receive funds at all, even though they were on the final ranking list. 111 people met all the conditions of the public call and will receive funds. Funds will be paid to them this month, in the same amount as for the 1031 applicants who received funds in January last year.

Furthermore, in accordance with the adopted initiative of deputies in the Sarajevo Canton Assembly Admela Hodžić and Aljoša Čampara, as well as the initiative of deputy Redžo Lemezan, we will make additional efforts to include and pay additional funds to young people in the 2025 budget. I believe in my goals as always, and I will continue to present detailed explanations and solutions for this challenge to the Government,” Šteta stated.

However, although any help to young people should be welcomed, a logical question arises in this case. How will funds for the 2023 public call be paid from the 2025 budget? Second, the initiative of deputies Hodžić and Čampara concerned the possibility of paying the difference in money if the rebalance of the 2024 budget was adopted. However, there was no rebalance, so it is unclear where these funds will be found. And for this additional payment, 5.5 million KM is needed, which is the same amount already paid in January 2024.

ZNG provided clarification a few days ago regarding the 2025 Budget, which has not yet been officially proposed.

“To cover basic expenses, including salaries and social benefits such as maternity benefits, legal amendments will need to be adopted to allow for the fixing of certain benefits. Departments will have to plan their expenses rationally, focusing on key projects, while there will be no room for populist measures.

An additional challenge is the decision of the Government of the Federation of BiH to increase the minimum wage, which directly affects collective agreements, average wages, and related contributions. According to rough estimates, this decision could further burden the budget of Sarajevo Canton by more than 20 million KM, while the revenue side of this decision is still not clearly defined,” they stated.

ZNG called on all responsible persons and institutions to avoid unrealistic predictions and promises that may sound good but lack a financial basis for realization.

If the 'Trojka' decides to eliminate ZNG ministers from the Sarajevo Canton Government, it is questionable what Minister Kalamujić might reveal regarding the spending of funds from the Sarajevo Canton Budget. He has repeatedly warned his colleagues about rational spending of money, although he himself hired several people on service contracts in the Ministry, as did his colleague Mesihović.

On the other hand, the academic community is divided in its opinion about the Minister of Higher Education Adna Mesihović. Especially after she sided with a smaller group of UNSA Senate members to elect an acting rector of UNSA, challenging the legitimacy of Rector Tarik Zaimović. In that struggle, Mesihović and Kalamujić halted salary payments for 2,700 employees of the University of Sarajevo, which was delayed for several days in December.

And similar to Kalamujić's case, ZNG, on behalf of the Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Youth of Sarajevo Canton, announces four laws for the upcoming period, including amendments to the Law on Higher Education, which always cause conflicting reactions.

SDP and NIP are not willing to give up their ministers, and they each have four. If there is a new government reconstruction, SDP should have an additional position in that case because it has the largest caucus in the Sarajevo Canton Assembly and holds one-third of the majority of these parties.

SDP has seven deputies, NIP has six after Arijana Memić left, Our Party has four, and ZNG has 1. Deputies Memić, Elza Gaković, and Admela Hodžić most often vote with this majority.