Komšić meets with Union Representatives: No Support for 2025 Budget Until Viadukt Debt Payment Method is Changed

(Patria) - At the invitation of the BiH Presidency member, Mr. Željko Komšić, representatives of the representative unions of employees in BiH institutions attended a consultative meeting regarding the non-adoption of the 2025 Budget.

On behalf of the Union of Civil Servants and Employees in BiH Institutions, the meeting was attended by President Radenko Mirković, while Edin Kahrimanović, Deputy President of the Union and President of the SIPA Union, attended on behalf of the Union of Police Bodies in BiH.

During the meeting, Mr. Komšić stated that the main reason his support for the 2025 Budget was not granted is the debt to the company Viadukt, not the seven cultural institutions mentioned by the unions in their letter. Specifically, Mr. Komšić emphasized that he insists this debt be planned within the consolidated part of the Budget, just like any other external debt, and that the burden of repayment falls on whoever incurred the debt.

"After being informed that the BiH Minister of Finance and Treasury, Mr. Srđan Amidžić, stated at a previous meeting that the problem of the Budget's non-adoption is solely the seven cultural institutions that some Presidency members are requesting to be included in the Budget, Mr. Komšić pointed out that there were discussions about the aforementioned seven cultural institutions, but in terms of finding solutions for their functioning, and not in any way that their inclusion in the 2025 Budget was an ultimatum.

Mr. Komšić concluded the discussion by stating that he understands the financial situation of the employees in the institutions but cannot support the payment of funds for the Viadukt case as proposed in the draft Budget, considering it unlawful. He also noted that he would support amendments to the Law on Salaries and Benefits that provide for the payment of an increased base starting from 01.01. for each year, adding that this could also be done within the framework of temporary financing through a Decision prepared by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and adopted by the BiH Council of Ministers.

The union representatives thanked him for his time and stated that they would inform their members of everything and plan further activities until the adoption of the 2025 Budget," the Union announced.