Specifics of budgetary system(s) with-in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

This paper examines the budgetary system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on both the budgets of the Republika Srpska and the institutions of BiH. The objective is to compare these two systems in terms of budget preparation, adoption, execution, and control, highlighting differences in legal competence, organizational structure, and fiscal autonomy. The study investigates constitutional and statutory provisions, as well as budgetary practices at both the entity and state levels. A doctrinal and comparative approach is employed, analyzing primary legislation, secondary regulations, and institutional documents. The hypothesis is that the Republika Srpska’s budget, as a unitary system, exhibits greater legal and procedural coherence, while the budget of BiH institutions, operating within a multi-entity framework, reflects complex intergovernmental coordination without hierarchical authority over entity budgets. The paper demonstrates how legal frameworks and institutional arrangements shape fiscal accountability, transparency, and efficiency in both systems. Findings indicate that, despite structural differences, both systems function within clearly defined procedures and budgetary control mechanisms, offering insights into how organizational models influence fiscal responsibility and the management of public funds. By providing a comparative perspective, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of budgetary systems in highly decentralized states such as Bosnia and Herzegovina.