Bosnia‑Herzegovina Presidency blocks 2026 budget, stalls public‑sector salary raises

The 2026 state budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina, amounting to 1.58 billion convertible marks, has been blocked at the level of the tripartite Presidency. Members Denis Bećirović and Željko Komšić rejected the draft that had been unanimously approved by the Council of Ministers, preventing the adoption of the budget and any increase in salaries for public‑sector employees.

Because of the blockage, government institutions are operating on quarterly temporary financing, limiting new capital projects and raising concerns over financial stability and credit‑rating prospects. Legal expert Damir Sakić described the situation as a political standoff that has forced the use of stop‑gap measures, while economist Igor Živko warned that the lack of salary hikes and investment hampers institutional functionality and could affect investor perception. The Ministry of Finance must resubmit a new budget draft, which will again need approval from the Council of Ministers, the Presidency, and both chambers of the Parliamentary Assembly.