Stalemate in Una-Sana Canton Continues, Ministry of Interior Faces Difficulties Operating Without a Budget

By Ernad Metaj

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The Una-Sana Canton treasury is locked. The political crisis has culminated. Without a decision on temporary financing, all payments have been halted since February. Budgetary beneficiaries cannot receive their salaries, and the biggest problem is how to organize the work of the Ministry of Interior.

- We have never had a situation like this. If public safety is not a general interest, I don't know what is?! I believe that ensuring security in the canton should not require 16 votes in favor, but rather unanimous support in the Assembly, Police Commissioner of Una-Sana Canton Mujo Koričić stated for Patria.

According to him, the security situation is currently under control, but the dissatisfaction of employees who cannot exercise their right to personal income is palpable. In addition, the Ministry of Interior already has to park vehicles whose registration has expired, and new vehicles secured for more efficient work cannot be put into operation. The Ministry has fuel, but it is a question of how long the supplier will tolerate non-payment.

- We are a strange people, we function best when things are toughest, but it is an objective problem how long this can last. Some functions of the Ministry of Interior already have to be reduced, and this can affect the crime rate, Koričić said.

The Police Union of the Una-Sana Canton announced a session of its Management Board for Friday, where they are to decide on further measures, which include a warning strike, public protest, and even a general strike if this situation persists.

Prime Minister of Una-Sana Canton Mustafa Ružnić reiterated once again that the government crisis must not turn into an institutional crisis.

- This is not just a financial blockade; everything has stopped working, or rather, institutions cannot function. The constitutionality of Una-Sana Canton is violated due to such behavior and the failure to adopt the decision on temporary financing, which is of a legal nature and which representatives are obliged to adopt if the regular budget is not adopted, Ružnić believes.

His request for the OHR to intervene was rejected, and the Prime Minister is silent about the resignation demanded by the Assembly of Una-Sana Canton. A solution to the crisis could also be the dismissal of the Government of Una-Sana Canton, which will be discussed today at the SDP headquarters.