KOVAČEVIĆ: NEW GOVERNMENT - GOVERNMENT OF POLITICAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 26 /SRNA/ – The new Government of Republika Srpska will be a government of political stability and economic progress, stated SNSD spokesperson Radovan Kovačević.

Kovačević emphasized that Republika Srpska needs strong institutions as its institutions are being attacked. "I expect that the government heded by Prime Minister Savo Minić will ensure, above all, political and institutional stability in Srpska and will carry out that task in the best possible way - without upheavals or instability," Kovačević told RTRS. Kovačević, who is also the Serb deputy in the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, stressed that Srpska must preserve its rights to be a political factor and remain a political stakeholder in the Dayton-based BiH. "We must not forget that BiH is a contracted country, whose only foundation and backbone is an international agreement guaranteed by many global powers, but primarily signed by Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH. I expect the new government will protect Srpska's right to make decisions, to be a political factor and to remain a political stakeholder, making its own decisions," said Kovačević. He added that, unfortunately, there are people in Srpska who believe that unappointed foreigners should be allowed to make decisions instead of Srpska, even against Srpska, deciding the fate of the Serb people. Kovačević stated that the second major task of the new government is economic progress, which is essential for Republika Srpska, adding that the President of Srpska and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik has announced several major economic initiatives that should cover all sectors of society. "We heard that 3,000 Srpska-based companies are export-oriented, and that over the next year we must find ways to further enhance exports. We also heard about various programmes, such as the Active Woman Initiative, aimed at helping all women in Srpska to work and build better careers," Kovačević said. He also highlighted a programme intended to enable all high school graduates to start working in Srpska, as well as for university graduates. "We've also heard of the Experience Matters Programme. We have a large number of retirees who qualify for retirement but still feel capable of working. Until now, this wasn't legally regulated in Srpska, but now we will regulate it," said Kovačević, adding that it will allow those individuals to continue working, while employers will be exempt from paying pension contributions, which Srpska already covers for pensioners,. Kovačević pointed to the desire to break the narrative of Srpska being a source of cheap labour. "We don't want to market our people as cheap labour. We want investors to come here because our people are hard-working, skilled, and reliable, not because they are cheap. People here are diligent, honest, and capable, knowing how to do their jobs, which should be our economic advantage," he emphasized. He has also stated that Srpska's economy will not rely on foreign labour. "Of course, there will always be jobs that locals may be less willing to do, and someone will have to do such jobs. But everything else will rely on the working people of Srpska," Kovačević said. He notes that increase in the minimum wage starting next year is also very important. "The current minimum wage for people with secondary education will increase from BAM 900 to 1,100; for university graduates, the minimum wage will be BAM 1,400. This is another measure aimed at raising the overall living standard in Srpska," he said. He has added that the goal is for the average salary in Republika Srpska to reach BAM 2,000 /about EUR 1,000/ by the end of next year. "This is a goal that is absolutely achievable, which we will accomplish by the end of next year. There is also discussion of a fund to be established into which BAM 1,000 will automatically be deposited for every newborn in Srpska. The state will then manage this fund to increase the amount, so when those children turn 18, they’ll have significant capital to start their lives more easily," Kovačević said. He emphasized that these are all achievable ideas, and that the most important thing in politics is to have ideas and to work seriously and diligently on implementing them. "As the SNSD delegation, we are entering consultations with the Prime Minister-designate Savo Minić, and we are moving forward to implement everything I've spoken. Srpska needs a government of political stability and economic progress," said Kovačević. He thanked the outgoing Prime Minister Radovan Višković, who, he said, achieved significant results during a difficult period. "The SNSD will always be grateful for that. Višković remains part of the SNSD leadership, and we are moving forward to new victories," he said. Kovačević reiterated that a new round of dialogue with social partners is required in Srpska, along with some changes in the government. "We need new people, new energy, and new partners," he said. He has added that there are many ideas and projects that need to be implemented, noting that some current officials will keep governmental positions to complete the projects they started. "In other areas, new people will arrive who will bring strong momentum for Srpska's development and progress. There is no room for speculation, Srpska remains stable, the government remains stable, the institutions of Srpska remain stable. The ruling majority remains absolutely stable, perhaps even stronger," Kovačević concluded.