After receiving the green light for the opening of accession negotiations with the European Union, there was an intervention by the High Representative in BiH, Christian Schmidt, regarding technical changes to the Election Law. Thus, the electoral law became the question of all questions. Reactions from Republika Srpska threatened the further European path, as well as relations within partners at the state level. While Dodik says that there is no state coalition and makes conditions, the Troika says the solution is dialogue, and if Dodik continues like this, prison.
After the optimistic story about the European path, threats and ultimatums again on the domestic political field. The uproar over the High Representative’s decision is growing. And this time Milorad Dodik leads the way. After expressing his desire to replace the existing partners with the SDA, he is now sending them a clear message that there is no state coalition. He hopes that they, as well as the international community, will listen to him, otherwise, he announces in his own style:
MILORAD DODIK, President of the Republika Srpska
“If it doesn’t happen, we will start an initiative at the end of the week, early next, to consider this situation at PSBIH, if it doesn’t happen, the RS will go its own way as far as the election law is concerned, and we will hold elections in the RS on the basis of the law that will be passed RS and it is a strong political message”.
Messages, which Dodik says are offers, not conditions. They also agree with him in HDZ BIH. They point out, in principle, the decision of the High Representative is bad. It is also known that the Council of Ministers sent the proposal of the Election Law prepared by the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the parliamentary procedure. In HDZ, they believe in a new round of talks, but they admit that the relations between partners at the state level have become complicated.
MARINKO ČAVARA, deputy chairman of PD PSBiH
“It will certainly not remain without consequences, one reaction leads to another, and there is no end to it, but we are a fragile area of political relations, with the influence of those who are there in BiH, and think they have all the rights of this world without responsibility, then it is clear that this complicates the overall relationship”.
Our party also believes that conversation is the only solution. The new crisis related to the electoral law is not worth, they say, the European road and the 150 million marks that we can get from the European Union. The SDP has a harsh stance, because they say Dodik is saving his freedom in this way.
DAMIR MAŠIĆ, SDP deputy in the PD of the FBiH Parliament
“It’s obvious and based on his behavior and actions, I don’t see any other way if he continues like this, he can only end up either in prison or in exile.
EDIN FORTO, Minister of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina
“I would not be bound by anyone’s ultimatum, we are going to work, we are ready to work, I would not be bound by any ultimatum, we have not set ultimatums so far, we want to work”.
But how to work if the coalition at the state level is on shaky legs? The opposition offers some solutions, such as the Club of SDA representatives who submitted their proposal to amend the Election Law. They can’t do much on their own, but can a new constellation in the state power be a solution?
SERIF ŠPAGO, SDA MP in PD PSBiH
“Dodik cannot determine in which direction the SDA’s political activities will be. We have our own organs, and the SDA will decide what and how to do in the next period”.
And who will do what, who will agree to what or give in, we will see in the coming days. For now, it is clear, European optimism has waned, political relations have deteriorated, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the scene. reality – honest and fair elections are a problem for many in this country.
