VULIĆ: PROPOSED BUDGET ATTEMPTS TO SEIZE COMPETENCIES AND ERASE WHAT IS GUARANTEED BY DAYTON

SARAJEVO, SEPTEMBER 22 /SRNA/ - Head of the SNSD Caucus in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH Sanja Vulić told SRNA that the proposed budget, which will be on the agenda at tomorrow's emergency session, represents an attempt to usurp competencies, push centralization, and erase what is guaranteed by the Dayton Agreement - something SNSD will never accept.

Vulić warned that the draft also "smuggled in" cultural institutions which, under the Dayton Agreement and the Constitution of BIH, belong to the entities. She pointed out that the proposal to be discussed was not prepared by the Council of Ministers, but was "recklessly cobbled together" by two members of the BIH Presidency, calling it an open violation of the Constitution and an insult to all citizens of BIH. "Tomorrow in Sarajevo we will witness yet another political theater directed by those who think they can reshape BIH outside the Constitution and laws," said Vulić, adding that the budget should be returned to constitutional and legal frameworks. She stressed it would have been more responsible to already be discussing the 2026 budget at this time of year, not the one for 2025. Vulić also noted the timing of the visit to Sarajevo by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, "who has obviously come to exert pressure and re-educate parliamentarians". "This is a textbook example of how foreign influence seeks to dictate BIH's politics, while ignoring the fact that SNSD and HDZ have done the most on BIH's European path. Instead of recognition for tangible results, we face false accusations and labeling," she said. She emphasized that SNSD will resolutely vote against the proposed budget and will not participate in a political farce imposed outside the Constitution and laws. "We will not allow the Constitution of BIH to be trampled, competencies to be stolen, nor anyone from abroad to `brainwash` the people's representatives. This is a fight for the respect of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BIH, for the Constitution, and for Republika Srpska," Vulić concluded.