SDP BiH: Authorities must protect citizens from inflation with subsidies

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Information from the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH that it achieved 30 percent higher revenues in January shows that the inflationary impact on the population is worse than we could have even assumed, stated the SDP BiH in a press release.

"Unfortunately, the FBiH Government has proven incapable of establishing functional terminals and commodity reserves. These reserves could influence the prices of energy products and basic foodstuffs. Instead, citizens are left to fend for themselves. The queues in front of soup kitchens are a clear sign that authorities at all levels must stop blocking institutions and urgently adopt decisions to mitigate the negative social effects," the SDP BiH stated.

They added that the growth of budgets at all levels due to rising prices must be utilized and redirected to social programs through concrete subsidies, assistance to pensioners, and one-time aid to the unemployed.

"We are obliged to protect the most vulnerable among us in times of crisis. In neighboring countries, we see that serious and responsible governments are already implementing concrete measures by reducing VAT and excise duties on energy products, subsidizing electricity and gas bills, and providing one-time assistance to the most vulnerable. We expect state, entity, and lower levels of government to finally understand that galloping inflation threatens the most vital interests of all peoples and citizens. Assisting citizens is not a matter of choice, but a duty of the authorities who are complicit in the difficult situation our citizens find themselves in," the statement reads.