House of Representatives: Provocations Marked the Debate on the FBiH Government's Work Program

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH Fadil Novalić presented the Government's Work Program for 2019 to the deputies of the House of Representatives of the FBiH. The Work Program for 2019 was drafted in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the FBiH Government and the Decree on Work Planning and Reporting of the FBiH Government, federal ministries, and institutions.

The Work Program is based on the FBiH Government's Work Program for the mandate period 2015-2018, the Reform Agenda for BiH 2015-2018 adopted by all governments in BiH, the FBiH Economic Reform Program 2019-2021, and the annual work plans of federal ministries submitted for processing to the Federal Development Programming Institute.
 
It defines the strategic goals, programs, and activities that federal ministries will undertake in 2019 to implement the outlined strategic goals. It precisely lists the holders of activities, deadlines for execution, performance measures for output (direct) results, expected annual results, and the sources and amounts of funds required for the realization of activities. A plan of normative activities is particularly highlighted, providing an overview of all planned legal and sub-legal acts, as well as an overview of strategic and operational goals by ministry.
 
The priorities of the FBiH Government in 2019 are to intensify economic development, strengthen internal social stability of the Federation of BiH, strengthen the rule of law, and initiate and implement reforms aligned with the needs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among the priorities is cooperation with other levels of government in BiH in working on Euro-Atlantic integration to ensure a long-term sustainable and stable system that will make the FBiH more competitive.
 
In 2019, the FBiH Government plans to adopt 95 laws, all listed individually, four decrees, 12 decisions, 35 regulations, six strategies, and 11 other acts (instructions, budget, programs, plans, methodologies, orders, etc.).
 
"When one reads the Government's programs for 2017, 2018, and 2019, you experience a kind of déjà vu," said MP Mirsad Čamdžić during the debate on the Work Program.

He added that although the FBiH Ministry of Health stated in 2018 that it had fulfilled 100 percent of its plan, it listed the same plans in the FBiH Government's Work Program for 2019.

Head of the SDP club, Damir Mašić, stated that it is pointless to discuss the Government's Program given that two-thirds of the year have already passed, and that it is an outgoing Government.

"It is particularly illogical to consider the Work Program without considering the Report on the Government's Work for the previous year," Mašić stated.

MP Irfan Čengić told him that it is the same plan as for 2018 because "they did nothing in the past year either."

"It has never happened in the history of the Federation that we have not had a government for 12 months. I ask whose government you are. You have a two-thirds majority, so I see no reason why you would not appoint a government. The program does not mention the law on conflict of interest; at my initiative, they said from the Government that they are working on that law with the British Embassy, but it is gathering dust in the Minister of Justice's drawer," Čengić added.

He reminded that the non-governmental organization HNS received funds from the budget even though its representatives are in power.

Dževad Adžem directed his discussion towards mutual accusations between SDP/Our Party and DF. He accused the left of engaging in populism and Mirsad Čamdžić of Our Party of not knowing how to read the Work Program.

Čamdžić and Damir Mašić responded that Adžem has no right to speak about consistency, as he defends SDA more than SDA defends itself.

This debate, at times, escalated into provocations, after which Adžem left the hall, saying he had "had enough."

Today's session has concluded, and the continuation is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 AM.