Mešalić and Zukić on the adopted Budget: The matter is tied in a bag, it was take it or leave it

(Patria) - Whether the adopted budget, amounting to almost 7.5 billion marks, is developmental, transparent, and whether sessions are conducted in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, was discussed by delegate in the House of Peoples of Parliament of the Federation Muamer Zukić and representative in the House of Representatives of Parliament of the Federation Mahir Mešalić, in the show ‘7PLUS’ on Hayat TV.

We received 8 hours before the session to review 267 pages of the budget. I don't believe any representative managed to review the budget. It is not developmental. There will be no significant increase in social benefits, although they announce it. They did not specify budget items where that money will be spent transparently. Čović and Nikšić will probably arrange this distribution with the Trojka behind the public's back. KBC Mostar received 7 million KM, and UKC Tuzla 500 thousand KM. Everything that is done is done according to HDZ's instructions. We saw that with the previous budget – said Mešalić.

Zukić agrees that it is insufficient time to review such a voluminous document.

- We had one more day than our colleagues to look at the budget. Even if we had all the time in the world, I don't know if we would have insight. The matter is tied in a bag. It was take it or leave it. There is a small window on that bag to see what the proposer wanted us to see. What is important is that we have a huge debt, which covers an increase of 500 million. Around 400-500 million is new debt. As for the expenditure side, it was marked by the fact that we don't know what was adopted today. We have an attempt to financially weaken the FBiH and strengthen the cantons. We recognize the policy of HDZ, which has influence on the Trojka – points out Zukić.

The majority of the budget goes to the needs of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, as well as the repayment of total debt, and the fulfillment of socio-economic rights based on various laws. Mešalić touched upon whether there will be fiscal reforms this year, which employers have been appealing for years.

- The previous Government put those fiscal reforms into procedure. However, all laws were withdrawn when the government of Trojka and HDZ came. Not a single law has been passed in a year. The Federal Parliament has not passed a single law. We used to pass 8-9 laws in one session. There are no laws. What exists is from the previous Government, but it was withdrawn. I don't know why they promise what they cannot fulfill. The difference they boast about, that the budget has increased, is debt. We have no development projects. 0 KM will be allocated for Tuzla International Airport.

The same applies to Sarajevo International Airport. In the pre-election campaign, everyone comes to Tuzla and says they will build the most modern road between the two largest cities in FBiH, 0 KM for the Sarajevo-Tuzla expressway. Funds will be allocated for road construction in parts where HDZ governs. The budget is adapted to the needs of HDZ with the help of Trojka. The most populous cantons are the most damaged. HDZ benefits from the weakening of Federation institutions – emphasized Mešalić.

The human right to adequate treatment is sought on the street by collecting two marks. Namely, 50 million KM will be allocated to the Solidarity Fund this year. The amendment of representative Kratina, who requested an additional 40 million, was rejected. They discussed whether additional funds from the budget had to be allocated for these purposes. There are nearly 1,700 patients on waiting lists for therapies and certain medical services.

- This issue must be given more attention. In the implementation of the budget, those provisions that were set from the beginning, the most influential figures leading this government did not allow. I noticed a kind of shame among delegates. Some conclusions were adopted to be corrected later. Great freedom for those who implement the budget. Not everyone will make an effort to explain. That is non-transparency. Imagine having an item of 25 million and someone will distribute it there, and you don't know to whom, how, where, absolutely nothing. You browse the budget and it's all current transfers where that form is. There had to be decisiveness – believes Zukić.