Bosnia Parliament adopts 2026 budget totaling € 808,092,722 amid opposition abstentions

The legislation was proposed by the state Presidency. Nine delegates voted in favor of the proposed budget, one voted against, and five abstained. From the Federation of BiH, six delegates voted in favor, one against, and three abstained. From the entity of Republika Srpska, three delegates voted in favor with no votes against and two abstentions. The House of Representatives of the state parliament adopted the proposed budget under an urgent procedure last week.

Total revenues, receipts, and financing of the state institutions under the 2026 budget amount to 1,580,500,000 Bosnian marks (approx. € 808,092,722), representing an increase of 10 million marks (some € 5,114,242), or one percent, compared with the 2025 budget. Addressing the delegates, Minister of Finance and Treasury Srdjan Amidzic stated that the budget primarily reflects laws adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly in the previous period. He noted that funds had been secured for retroactive payments, increased vacation allowances with the base rising from 631 marks (approx. € 322.71) to 690 marks (approx. € 352.88), higher meal allowances rising from 12.6 marks (approx. € 6.44) to 13.8 marks (approx.€ 7.06), and increased transportation costs. He added that the largest allocation increases went to the Armed Forces, the Indirect Taxation Authority, and the Border Police.

Delegate Sefik Dzaferovic stated he would abstain, noting that while the state needs a budget and administration workers require fair pay, he criticized the authorities for populist debates regarding the funding of BHRT and cultural institutions. Delegate Safet Softic remarked that the budget passed through the will of the ruling minority and opposition abstention, criticizing the abandonment of prior demands to include BHRT funding. With this final adoption, the emergency session concluded.