The President of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH) said the upcoming general elections are important for Bosnia and Herzegovina, adding that one key goal is to mobilize the Croat electorate and, as he said, preserve unity among Croats.
In an interview with Radio-Television Herceg Bosna, Čović discussed the upcoming elections, the legitimate political representation of the constituent peoples, Darijana Filipović’s candidacy for the Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, relations among political representatives, and the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Čović said that there are several reasons why citizens should turn out to vote, highlighting three as particularly important: the situation within the Croat electorate, the blockage of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the current global political moment.
“No matter how much we say that some elections are historic, I think that the 2026 general elections are extremely important,” Čović said.
According to him, “a germ of discord” has appeared within the Croat electorate, which is why he believes it is important to preserve political unity.
Speaking about the state of institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Čović proved that the blockage of their functioning has been going on for a long time, stating that the problem also lies in the misalignment of the foreign policy.
He emphasized that it was important who would represent the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina after elections and participate in establishing the government.
“I believe there is interest in this region as we are located at the heart of the European space, and from that point of view, we must pay attention to whom we choose, who will represent us and how to establish a government that will function,” he said.
Čović on the Campaign and Candidacy of Darijana Filipović
Speaking about the campaign of HDZ of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Čović said the atmosphere is “very good” and that they have recorded an increased citizens’ interest compared to previous general elections.
Regarding the race for the Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Čović praised the candidate of HDZ BiH and HNS, Darijana Filipović.
In April this year, Filipović was confirmed as the HDZ BiH candidate for the Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also supported her candidacy.
Čović said that he is happy with the way in which she leads the campaign and that, according to him, she has support outside the Croat electorate.
“She is a young person, still full of experience, energy, and determination to act,” Čović said.
He added that, according to polls by international institutions that he mentioned, Filipović has significant leverage compared to the candidate who, as he said, is currently behind her.
Čović did not substantiate such estimates with specific names of the research or their results, so they should be viewed as his claim.
“We are completely unburdened by the past”
Čović also commented on the campaigns of other political actors and criticized the use of wartime topics and interethnic divisions in the election campaign.
“The digital generation of young people simply expects something else, while our campaign is based on completely different values: how to ensure peace and security in this area, how to add a developmental dimension, motives for young people to see a place to live here, along with that element of equality we constantly talk about,” he said.
He added that the HDZ BiH, as he said, is “looking to the future”, while simultaneously nurturing the culture of remembrance.
Čović criticized the messages of some political actors who present the elections through the relations between the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the HVO.
“It is senseless to talk in 2026 about the relations between the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Croat Defence Council,” he said, assessing that such an approach further deepens divisions.
About Criticism Regarding His Education and Family
Čović also talked about criticism during the campaign regarding his education, and allegations concerning his family.
He said it is a matter of political and general culture and that, according to him, some topics being raised today have been presented since the nineties.
“I have been a public figure for almost 40 years, and I am used to everything; all the topics you hear about today have been recycled since the nineties. Dealing with them would be a waste of time,” Čović said.
He also added that the HDZ BiH will not, as he said, react to such attacks, but direct the campaign to the future.
Election Law and the Issue of “Legitimate Representation”
One of the central discussion topics was the matter of amendments to the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the mode of electing members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Čović expressed his belief that, as he said, the matters that define legitimacy and constitutional equality will be resolved by the next elections.
“I am convinced that they also understood that we must solve the matter of the Election Law so that the Croat people can choose their best representative among multiple candidates,” Čović said.
He reiterated his position that the election of the Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina by votes of electors outside the Croat electorate represents a problem of legitimate representation.
Čović also said, according to his assessment, the eventual re-election of a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina who would not be supported by the majority of the Croat electorate could lead to a deadlock in the functioning of institutions.
“I said I don’t believe in it, because we have been communicating with all important representatives of the Bosniak parties since October last year. If that were to hypothetically happen, it would lead to a complete deadlock in the functioning of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am afraid that the Council of Ministers would never be formed, and the work of the Government of the Federation would come to a complete standstill. It is better not to think about such gloom, because the equality of the three constituent peoples is the key to a new and modern Bosnia and Herzegovina. We ask for nothing more than others, but we do not accept less. I am convinced that the majority among the Bosniak people realized that we are the leaders of all positive processes,” he added.
“It cannot happen that ambassadors act arbitrarily”
Speaking about the significance of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Čović stated that the institution has important authorities in the areas of foreign and security policy, the appointment of ambassadors and other questions.
He said that foreign policy must be the result of an agreement among the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It can’t happen that the ambassadors to the UN act arbitrarily depending on their political option; foreign policy must be the result of a consensus among the three constituent peoples. That is why we need the legitimacy of representatives,” he said.
Čović also claimed that Croat political representatives do not have enough influence in the diplomatic structures of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that this poses a problem for representing the interests of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Čović on the “Overrepresentation” of Croats
Commenting on the statements by President Bakir Izetbegović on the overrepresentation of Croats in the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Čović rejected them.
“Not even close. That narrative serves only as an alibi for deceptions and a justification for hegemony,” Čović said.
According to him, the constitutional position of the constituent peoples does not mean that the size of a population should determine the scope of its political rights.
At the same time, he claimed that Croats have been, as he stated, eliminated from certain leadership positions in state agencies and ministries.
“We don’t want Bosnia and Herzegovina that stands in one place”
Čović said that the HDZ BiH, as he said, rejects both separatist and unitarist policies.
“We don’t want Bosnia and Herzegovina that stands still; we are building European Bosnia and Herzegovina with clearly aligned internal relations,” he said.
He added that for HDZ BiH, it is important to preserve political unity within the Croat National Assembly (HNS) and ensure equal rights for the constituent peoples.
On the role of Croatia in Bosnia and Herzegovina
At the end of the interview, Čović spoke about the role of the Republic of Croatia in protecting the interests of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He said that Croatia, according to his interpretation, through its institutions and the actions of Andrej Plenković’s Government, provides support to the interests of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Croatia has a constitutional obligation to take care of Croats outside its borders, and that strategic cooperation is the only way to ensure respect for our rights until the internal Election Law is finally resolved,“ Čović said, Klix.ba writes.
