Stanivuković in front of the Palace of the Republika Srpska President: I was beaten, but I am not afraid, I will not give up

(Patria) - A large number of citizens gathered today in front of the City Administration in Banja Luka, at the invitation of Mayor Draško Stanivuković, after which they went to the Palace of the Republika Srpska President.

In front of the Palace, demands will be read concerning the withdrawal of the Proposal of the Law on the Budget System of Republika Srpska, which stipulates that over the next three years, seven percent of the funds Banja Luka is entitled to from indirect taxes will be taken away.

In his address to those present, Stanivuković said that five days ago he neither knew nor suspected that he would be there, but that they were driven by hardship and what "our country is doing to Banja Luka," as reported by Nezavisne novine.

- This is our country, our Government and our institutions. Even if I am the last one, I will not give up, you know me. Banja Luka has the greatest needs.

There are 77 million reasons for me to be here, because behind us is a budget of 77 million KM. They shouldn't even have been here, we won't do anything. We will be peaceful - said Stanivuković.

He added that there are 26,000 entrepreneurs in Republika Srpska, of which 8,000 are in Banja Luka, and that they want to take 22 million from them through amendments to the Law on Personal Income Tax.

Stanivuković also stated that the citizens of Banja Luka will be a mirror image for all institutions of Republika Srpska.

- I was beaten, but I am not afraid. I don't know how long this struggle of ours will last. Tomorrow I am going to the Assembly of the Union of Municipalities and Cities. I will be there at 9, you can come with me, but at 10 we must be in front of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska. Let me see if they are ready to withdraw the law.

If they are not, we will not move from in front of the Assembly until they withdraw the law. And for us, 200,000 citizens of Banja Luka, it means a smaller budget. Well, that won't happen, that's why we are here - said Stanivuković, stating that they are only asking for the urgent withdrawal of the Law.

- How can a law against Banja Luka be passed under urgent procedure? From December 15, they also want electricity to be more expensive. One man cannot be more important than 200,000 citizens and 26,000 entrepreneurs.

Tomorrow at 10, the Assembly session begins, we ask our members of parliament not to vote for the Law against our Banja Luka. We are fighting so that they do not take away our books, kindergartens, parks. We will not give up our city. From a budget of 77 million, our children would have books for the next 50 years, and transportation for 40 years - added Stanivuković.

"The people are the boss, not Mile," "Banja Luka is not a cash cow," reads some of the banners carried by the gathered citizens.