From seven to 15 percent - this is how much the Government's Fiscal Strategy foresees an increase in VAT on books and press. This is strongly criticized by the publishing houses and directors of print media, Dana, Vijesti and Pobjeda, who fear that the adoption of this measure could shut down daily newspapers in Montenegro, recalling that not so long ago, the Government's Media Strategy provided for the complete abolition of VAT for the press. while now it is increasing.
The opposition also says that culture and education should not be attacked in this way.
"The price of textbooks for high school students will be increased. This part of the Fiscal Strategy should be abandoned if we are thinking at all about the future of young people, about the importance of culture. The Minister of Culture and Media is silent on this issue, I think this is the moment when the reaction of the Minister of Culture and Media is expected, because we have to speak louder about these issues", said MP Zoja Bojanić Lalović.
The Minister of Culture and Media, Tamara Vujović, did not answer TV Vijesti's questions - whether she supports this government plan.
The Social Democrats indicate that this model does not even have a tangible fiscal effect.
"It is a couple of million annually, and two billion and 600 are original incomes. You are piling up the administration, salary costs in the public administration are rising, you have incredible figures for work contracts, and because you need to exhaust such a large state apparatus, which is the result, we all know what kind of employment is dominant, and because of this, you should punish ordinary citizens with citations and you need to strike at culture and education. That is unacceptable," says SD MP Boris Mugoša.
From the Civic Movement URA, they say that such a populist move shows the government's lack of concern for the cultural development of Montenegrin society, and they call on the Government to reconsider this decision and find alternative solutions that will not endanger this sector.
The Ministry of Finance announced today that they will consider the possibility of lowering the proposed VAT. The ruling "Europe Now" Movement also calls for waiting until the end of the public debate on the Fiscal Strategy, although they believe that the criticism is not justified.
"I don't see how it can make it difficult, shut down, destroy an area, I don't see the space for that, but of course when taxes are increased or introduced, everyone has a problem with that, that someone will ask that it not be increased, to me it is completely a legitimate position, but during the public discussion, every criticism should be heard and the proponent of the document should address that criticism. We will wait for the final text of the Fiscal Strategy", said PES MP Vasilije Čarapić.
Democrats hope that some compromise solution will be reached.
"I hope that it will not come to that, there is always room for us, in agreement with the Government, to act as amendments. To provide additional financing that is provided perhaps from some other positions, and to still preserve this one very important social and cultural area", said Democrat MP Nikola Rovčanin.
The proposed increase in VAT on books and the press was also criticized by the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, who ironically wrote on Iks: "Why should we read books and the free press? Let the Government send everyone an electronic newsletter so that we know how to think about what. RTCG then can read the same newsletter in Dnevnik as it used to be for those who had not read it until then".
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