Third session of the House of Peoples at 3 PM, budget adopted in the first reading

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The 4th emergency session of the House of Peoples of the BiH PA has begun, where the budget of BiH institutions for 2020 will be considered under an expedited procedure. 

14 delegates are attending the session, while Dragan Čović is justifiably absent due to coronavirus infection.

The House of Representatives of the BiH PA adopted the budget of institutions on July 15 with one amendment. 

Dušanka Majkić (SNSD) stated that due to the delay in adopting the budget, she places responsibility on adopting it as soon as possible.

"This budget is adapted to the new situation related to the pandemic. Certain funds of over 40 million KM are foreseen to help. I hope it will be adopted and I call on the delegates to act accordingly," Majkić said. 

Denis Bećirović, delegate of SDP BiH, stated that the budget is nine months late.

"I think it is fair for the proposer to tell us and the public why there is such a delay. When it comes to the content of the budget, people in BiH should know that this is not a developmental, social, or Euro-Atlantic budget. Is this a serious response to the health challenge and security problems? The answer is no. This budget does not represent adequate support for strengthening human rights in BiH. The budget planned for the Ombudsman institution has been reduced by 114,000 KM. The budget is not adequate support for Annex 7 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which is the heart of the Dayton Agreement. The budget is not support for strengthening the foreign policy of BiH. We have a reduction of over 4 million KM. We need to make a serious turn in foreign policy. The reduction of the budget for the MFA of BiH is a very bad message. Instead of thinking about opening new diplomatic missions, there is a serious reduction here. I don't know if there is any country in Southeast Europe that has reduced funds for the security sector like this. The amount of funds for the Ministry of Defense in 2020 has been reduced by 1,546,000 KM. Such a move and such a solution in the budget have elements of an anti-Dayton move," said Bećirović. 

Bećirović was interrupted by the presiding officer Nikola Špirić after he began comparing the allocation of funds in Serbia and BiH. However, Bećirović told him not to interrupt him because he was talking about the budget.

"Don't ask me anything, Mr. Chairman. I am talking about the budget, I am making a comparison. When someone mentions Serbia to you, all the red lights immediately turn on. Your homeland is Bosnia and Herzegovina, protect BiH, respect others and do not interrupt me. We have an extremely unstable political and economic situation. The migrant crisis threatens to escalate completely. Everyone should behave responsibly and maturely. As far as I'm concerned, I will be in opposition to everything that is against the interests of BiH, but never against the interests of BiH. The only thing worse than this budget is an unadopted budget of BiH. I absolutely support the amendment of colleague Emrić and I believe that this proposal from the HoR of the BiH PA is complementary to what I proposed," said Bećirović. 

Mladen Bosić (SDS) stated that he will not support the budget and, as far as he can see, he is the only one against the budget.

Although some delegates had numerous objections to the budget, they will support it during the vote due to the holding of elections. 

After the discussion, the delegates voted on the bill in the first reading, and it was adopted.

A conclusion was also adopted that after the end of the fourth emergency session, the amendment procedure will be opened within an hour and the committee will prepare a report.

Špirić stated that the fifth emergency session is scheduled for 3 PM.