President of the People and Justice (NiP) party Elmedin Konaković commented on the current political situation, the government formation process at the state and federal levels after the election results were confirmed, relations within coalitions, and his party’s election result.
After the Central Election Commission of BiH (CIK) confirmed the final election results, deadlines for forming a government began running. Although at the start we expected quick responses, the situation on the political scene has grown more complex.
Speaking on the TVSA show “Intervju” about the formation of government at the state level, Konaković emphasized that he hopes for a swift resolution, recalling the previous term when the agreements were signed quickly following the elections, and the Council of Ministers was appointed as early as late January.
“One important segment of forming the government will be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We must pay close attention to Dodik, given the kind of person he is, and I see they intend to bring him into power, to ensure they don’t give him all the levers with which he could truly cause damage to BiH through destructive actions,” Konaković warned.
When asked about the possibility of forming the government without the SNSD leader and the threats of blockades through quorum disruption in the House of Peoples, the NiP leader stated that one should not shy away from this problem.
“Running away from solving that problem that should legally penalize those who break the quorum and normalizing it would be surrender; it would be treason. For us to say: ‘Well, you know, he’ll run away from the sessions of the House of Peoples, and that’s why we shouldn’t exclude him from power ’- that is nonsense,” he emphasized.
When it comes to the Federation of BiH and the position of the Party for BiH (SBiH), Konaković believes that a clearer picture will only be visible after the constitution of the House of Peoples and the election of the FBiH leadership.
“At that point, through the caucuses, you will see the eventual strength and distribution, and what currently looks to be the case on the ground is that SDA, HDZ, and SDP will have representatives at the head of those caucuses. I think Izetbegović secretly desires such a constellation, while playing a bit with people. Don’t forget Efendić-Izetbegović relations, neither the candidacy nor the presidential ones, and especially not those regarding the published recording with which Efendić inflicted damage on SDA,” Konaković recalled.
Reflecting on the poorer election result of the People and Justice party, Konaković said the party paid a price for taking on responsibility on the ground.
“There are some illogical things that are the consequence of our approach, and the most important thing is, we wouldn’t change. While we’re in opposition, it was easier to criticize Novalić’s government – you have time, and you deal only with that. Within the Troika, People and Justice Party is that intervention unit that takes responsibility even where we are not personally responsible,” he said.
He also admitted a strategic mistake in managing key sectors, especially in communal utilities.
“We made a strategic mistake because we didn’t invest enough money into the communal utilities sectors to make things easier for those managements. But when someone takes away 500 million BAM from you in three years, those gaps can probably be filled with that. Now, we have new people, and we will see how they will solve issues,” Konaković said.
During the interview, Konaković also confirmed that he has already submitted a request to CEC to put his mandate as a representative in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH on hold.
In addition to topics related to the formation of coalitions, the NiP President reflected on the delays in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path, the position of Bosniaks in Republika Srpska, as well as the regional and global political processes – including the elections in Serbia and the impact of the Democrats’ victory in the United States on future relations with BiH.
