Heated debate in the House of Peoples of BiH: Delegates demand agenda changes and discussion on excise taxes, HDZ and SNSD against

(Patria) - A lengthy debate on the agenda is underway at the session of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with demands from some delegates that, in addition to European laws, urgent consideration be given to excise taxes on fuel and the law related to Moneyval.

The proposers of several legal solutions are members of the Collegium of the House of Peoples – Kemal Ademović, Dragan Čović, and Nikola Špirić. These are laws that should be considered under an expedited procedure, and their adoption is one of the conditions for opening negotiations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union.

Delegate Želimir Nešković requested an addition to the agenda to urgently consider amendments to the Law on Excise Taxes, as well as the law on restricting the disposal of property to prevent the financing of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. He cited the sharp increase in fuel prices and its consequences for the economy and citizens' living standards as the reason.

On the other hand, Dragan Čović called on delegates to first conclude the urgent session, which has 19 items for which, as he said, there is a majority, and that all additional items be considered at a special session.

Nikola Špirić expressed a similar stance, stating that the agenda includes several important legal proposals and agreements ready for ratification. He warned that some proposals, such as amendments to excise taxes, must go through the prescribed procedure and be harmonized with the competent institutions.

Delegate Nenad Vuković responded that the debate is an attempt to justify a possible departure from the session and block decisions, especially regarding the reduction of excise taxes on fuel.

Džemal Smajić also joined the discussion, requesting that the law on the regulator of electricity transmission and market in BiH be included on the agenda.

In the end, Želimir Nešković reiterated that the rise in fuel prices is a burning issue for citizens across the country, stating that "the wallet was where it is now," rejecting the accusations of political deals made by Špirić regarding the issue of "Banja Luka's wallet being in Sarajevo."