During an appearance on Federalna televizija’s Dnevnik 2, Sabina Ćudić, the resigning president of Naša Stranka party (Eng. Our Party), explained the reasons for her decision, assessed the party’s election result, and announced an analysis of the responsibility within the management. She also spoke about the need for more efficient governance, future coalitions, and the possibility of forming the new government in Sarajevo Canton.
Ćudić said Sunday, October 11, marks exactly one year since she took over as president of Naša Stranka. She believes that period was enough for her to identify the party’s strengths and weaknesses, but not to deliver the results voters expected.
“That year was enough to make the government in which we participate more efficient and to bring results closer to our voters, but most importantly, to offer more than excuses for the absence of results where results were lacking,” Ćudić said.
She emphasized that voters expect more from the government in which Naša Stranka participates, and that the election result is not the only reason to take responsibility.
“Excuses are not answers, and I think our voters demand better and more efficient. In a way, I thank them for that, because I think that our voters are the ones emancipating our political space and demanding this kind of decision that I have made,” she said.
She sees her resignation as the opening of a democratic process within the party, from which Naša Stranka should emerge stronger and more ready to achieve better results.
Seek Responsibility from the Top
Speaking about the next steps, Ćudić said that Naša Stranka has never been nor will it ever be a one-man party. She recalled that the regular congress is planned for spring next year, so she doesn’t consider it justified to hold an extraordinary congress just a few months earlier.
She emphasized that the responsibility for the election result should be sought within the party, starting from the top, then among other members of the leadership as well as representatives in the executive and legislative authorities.
“What interests me is that, unlike many others, we do not look for culprits in others, in our voters, in our political opponents, but we seek responsibility above all from the very top,” Ćudić said.
She announced a detailed analysis of the election result and the party’s operation. According to her, the leadership will make decisions based on concrete data, not on generalized assessments and impressions.
Naša Stranka Proved Its Integrity
Ćudić believes that Naša Stranka proved its integrity, but that it in itself is not enough for successful governance and achieving results.
“Integrity should be an integral condition for engaging in politics, but it alone is not enough to produce efficient results,” she said.
As one of the directions for change, she mentioned a more efficient management system and a different approach to forming coalitions. She believes that coalition agreements should contain clearly defined and measurable results, as well as key measures that would be adopted before forming the government.
She looked back on complaints regarding new coalitions, assessing that different government combinations are possible, but that the way certain political talks are conducted does not inspire confidence.
Showdown with the Troika: Focus of Government Formation Negations in Sarajevo Canton
Speaking about negotiations in Sarajevo Canton, she said that foundations of potential new majorities, in her assessment, have focused too much on a showdown with Troika, accompanied by threats of arrests and announcements of actions by judicial authorities.
“It is fascinating that 90 percent of the time they addressed us, they were talking, threatening arrests, essentially abusing judicial bodies to settle scores with officials from Troika, without a single word about plans for the future,” Ćudić said.
She called on political actors to tone down aggressiveness in public appearances and lead future negotiations in a more civilized manner. She added that political actors have already faced difficulties in attempting to establish parliamentary majorities.
When asked whether the process of forming the new government in Sarajevo Canton will be successfully concluded, Ćudić answered briefly: “I think it won’t.”
