Balkans political leaders debate economic policy and wage increases

Political and economic debates are intensifying across Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. In Montenegro, Boris Pejović of the Europe Now Movement defended Prime Minister Milojko Spajić’s proposed wage increases, arguing that pensions and salaries have grown more significantly than inflation over the last five years despite global economic crises. Conversely, Ilir Camaj, Director of the Tuzi Waterworks, criticized the move, labeling the Prime Minister a ‘liar’ and warning that such populist measures could trigger inflation and degrade service quality.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, political tensions remain high ahead of elections. The Democratic Front (DF) has called for a concentration government to counter the perceived cooperation between the HDZ and SNSD. Meanwhile, in the Republika Srpska, Srđan Amidžić, Minister of Finance and Treasury, denied responsibility for recent increases in officials' salaries, stating the changes were proposed and passed by members of the Parliamentary Assembly.

In Serbia, Siniša Mali, Vice President of the SNS, highlighted economic stability, claiming that food expenditures as a percentage of average earnings have decreased from 44% to 35% over five years. Additionally, the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH has begun issuing the first VAT refunds for citizens purchasing their first real estate in the region.