Protests in Bijeljina due to reduction in VAT revenue

(Patria) - Protests are being held in Bijeljina today due to the Law on the Budget System of Republika Srpska, which stipulates that Banja Luka and Bijeljina will partially finance underdeveloped local communities with VAT revenue.

Among others, the Mayor of Bijeljina, Ljubiša Petrović, addressed the attendees.

- We are here to point out the injustice and theft from Bijeljina and Banja Luka. That is why it is important that we persevere in our struggle and show that together we can do anything. This is a fight for all of us and for our descendants - said Petrović, addressing the attendees at the protests in the city center.

Who brought those municipalities to the point of being underdeveloped, Petrović asked, and stated that "they took ten million from these two cities, and gave the president 21 million, so his budget now amounts to 77 million KM".

Citizens of Banja Luka also gave support to the citizens of Bijeljina. PDP MP and advisor to the Mayor of Banja Luka, Mirna Savić Banjac, said that there are 77 reasons for Banja Luka and Bijeljina to be together.

The City Committee of SNSD Bijeljina announced earlier, regarding the protests, that "Petrović is trying to divert citizens' attention from the illegal squandering of city money by inciting unrest".