The key political issue in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is still not resolved. Amendments to the electoral law still hang over BiH political sky like the sword of Damocles.
Half of the six-week deadline that High Representative Christian Schmidt left for political actors in BiH has passed. In the remaining three weeks, another momentum in this regard can be expected, and as it was found out, something like this will happen.
All parliamentary parties should sit down and once again consider all options for an agreement. The chances of finding a compromise are slim, but the bottom line is opening up the process that Schmidt called for. The behavior of the parties in this regard should be seen in the context of the election campaign, which officially begins in two weeks.
If we look back at the idea of imposing the political segment of the electoral law and imposing technical parts, which Schmidt has already done, then it can be said that, compared to other parties, the HDZ is in a better position. This is evident from their past behavior and messages that were sent from the Office of the High Representative (OHR), as well as from the American and British embassies. It is clear that without sending a signal that the parties can come to an agreement before or after the election, Schmidt will inevitably start imposing, which according to the details known so far should suit the HDZ more.
In the current circumstances, pro-Bosnian parties can show that they want an agreement, but on fair grounds. They can offer a concrete proposal for an electoral law that will solve every issue, including the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. Even if the HDZ rejects such a thing, the message will remain that an agreement can be sought. And a compromise can be asked for when it comes to reducing the famous census (3%) that was leaked in the draft as a basis for electing delegates to the federal House of Peoples.
A compromise can be sought in the reduction of the number of delegates required for the nomination and election of the President and Vice-President of the Federation of BiH (FBiH) in the House of Peoples. Schmidt planned to increase the six required delegates to eight, which is probably the biggest puzzle in the whole process because it remains unclear why that item would be changed. In general, it is evident that the parties based in Sarajevo will not agree to any option that excludes certain cantons from the story of the election of delegates from the rank of each constituent nation.
What can happen in the upcoming period?
As a potential scenario, it can be taken that Schmidt waits to see if there is a willingness of the parties to talk. If that readiness exists, his reaction may be delayed. However, if nothing happens on that front, it will make it easier for Schmidt in his original intention to impose the election law.
Ultimately, by September 15th, most of these things should be clarified, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
