Žuljević: SDP BiH seeks introduction of wealth tax

By introducing a wealth tax, we can create a significantly fairer society, and by redistributing wealth, reduce the unjust differences among our citizens.

Aner Žuljević, delegate of SDP BIH in the House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, announced that this party will again submit an initiative to the entity government regarding the introduction of a wealth tax.

- Two years ago, we submitted an initiative to introduce a wealth tax, but the Government of FBiH rejected it, stating that the current measures are satisfactory, meaning that we have a universal income tax of 10%, and that this is quite sufficient. I don't know where the esteemed Prime Minister and his associates live, but what we see is great injustice and a huge gap between the rich and the poor, and we believe that a wealth tax is a necessary instrument of solidarity to help those living in poverty or below the poverty line by taxing wealth – said Žuljević.

Several studies have recently been published that confirm the justification for introducing a wealth tax and have motivated SDP to give this government another chance to show that they are not exclusively protectors of capital, which they have promoted so far through their reforms and attacks on workers.

- If the authorities reject it again, SDP will make the wealth tax part of Plan 10 and do everything to have it introduced by the new government after the elections in October – emphasizes Žuljević.

Considering that the total wealth in BiH, according to studies using various methodologies, is estimated between 114 and 218 billion KM, the introduction of a wealth tax can represent a significant source of funds for a new dimension of socially fairer policies in BiH.

- The trend in our society where wealth is accumulated in the hands of a few, i.e., in the hands of closed circles of political-economic elites, must be treated with adequate and socially fairer taxation.

Taxation of wealth is an important component of the function of tax policy because it indicates a political commitment and orientation towards a whole system of measures that should lead to greater economic and social equality.

Our society must not reconcile itself with a situation where it is normal for us to have the same tax treatment for hundreds of millionaires, and for cars worth over a hundred thousand marks to drive through the streets, while at the same time half a million citizens live at or below the poverty line.

We clearly state that we have nothing against rich people, so with this initiative, we only want to send a message that we need a greater element of solidarity within the tax system to protect the most vulnerable categories of our society.

A wealth tax could also partially rectify some of the injustices caused by corrupt privatization, when individuals acquired significant assets in very suspicious ways and when a whole army of party-affiliated wealthy individuals was created.

Due to all of the above, we will resubmit the Initiative for the introduction of a wealth tax and see if this government, led by SDA and HDZ, will stand up for the endangered citizens or dedicate themselves to the further enrichment of the rich and stand in defense of the army of party-affiliated, transitional, privatization wealthy individuals – warns Žuljević.