Bosnian MPs Vote on Law Package to Save IMF Cash

Bosnian parliamentarians, under urgent procedure, are due to vote on Thursday on a disputed set of laws which would raise excise taxes for fuel - and pave the way toward another instalment of a much-needed IMF loan.

The package is among the last unfulfilled requirements and contains draft laws on amendments to laws on excise duties, on payments to a single account and allocation of revenue, on the indirect taxation system and on deposit insurance banks.

It forms a significant part of the country's Reform Agenda 2015-18, which aims to bring the country closer towards European Union membership.

However, for citizens, it means increasing the price of a litre of fuel by 0.15 Bosnian marks [0.08 euro cents] - which will pose an unwelcome additional burden on farmers among others.

The additional income is meant to help fund the construction of roads and highways.

Bosnia is composed of two semi-autonomous entities - the Federation, mainly populated by Bosniaks and Croats, and Republika Srpska, with a Serb majority. The two entity governments are the main beneficiaries of the IMF loan and rely on it to stabilize their budgets and finance their debts.

This is the second time Bosnia's politicians are trying to push through the laws under urgent procedure, desperately trying to speed up the adoption process after an extended April deadline for adopting the laws was breached.

The outcome of the vote remains uncertain, however.

Representatives of the Alliance for Changes, a Serbian coalition in power at state level along with Bosniak and Croat Representatives, have consistently opposed adoption of the laws.

Bosnia's Foreign Trade Minister Mirko Sarovic, from the Alliance, last week said the laws needed to be amended to...