BH political scene is known for a large number of parties, and there is no shortage of coalitions either.
However, one alliance attracts special attention due to its longevity, as well as the main actors. The President of HDZ BiH Dragan Čović and the President of SNSD Milorad Dodik are in the public’s focus due to increasingly loud theories that not everything is so great in their relationship. However, Dodik had an answer for such allegations. And Čović – and the political problem is mostly only the Coalition of Three.
Is the political alliance and friendship between Milorad Dodik and Dragan Čović cracking or is it never stronger? To the speculations that the relationship is in crisis, Dodik had an answer in the form of a photo with which he put an end to the rumours. Host Milorad Dodik at the table, and guests Dragan Čović and Borjana Krišto. The president of the RS claims – a relaxed atmosphere, while analysts believe that there was not only food and drink on the table – but also important state issues.
“With the help of a working lunch, rather than a meeting, they solve major issues. In this way, issues such as the budget were resolved. And they agreed, apparently, on the distribution of all functions, so that everything that is happening is, in fact, expected and the attempt of folklore to present it as different relations – I have information that they have never been disturbed”, claims political analyst Zoran Krešić .
The latest in a series of evidence that there is no turbulence in the relationship between Dodik and Čović is the appointment of Zoran Tegeltija to the position of director of the Directorate for Indirect Taxation of BiH. Friendship and business relations seem to be stable despite open questions. It is no secret that their views are often not the same, and that there is no agreement on NATO. On the one hand, Čović is optimistic – the process of BiH’s approach to NATO cannot be stopped, while on the other, Dodik threatens to end cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. True, at least not publicly, Čović and Dodik do not agree on the issue of state property, but also on ignoring and abandoning state institutions. Nevertheless, different opinions are respected, they are often not discussed, and it seems, sometimes they are ignored for the sake of one goal. Own political powers.
“We agreed on the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina, of course we have different opinions on NATO and it is unnecessary to comment on that”, were Dodik’s words, while according to Čović, they are determined that there are no reproaches between them – neither in the executive nor in the legislative power.
The longest-lasting political alliance in Bosnia and Herzegovina has survived for years, but what connects them? Interests and power on the political scene, according to analysts. However, it is known that new political partners who enter power with them will not be spared from criticism. The expanded Troika has a long list of criticisms for that cooperation. They are often blamed for handing over important positions to the SNSD and HDZ BiH when distributing the political spoils. However, not everything is so stable and firm in the relationship between Dodik and Čović, and unstable in the Coalition of Three, thinks political analyst Ivana Marić: “They made such an unbreakable pact that forces them to overcome their differences, to focus on what they have in common, and they simply ignore the latter. HDZ has already made a trip with SDP against Dodik, and it’s good that we don’t have a solid bloc of two parties, but that we have blocs”.
There is no shortage of political blocs, as well as new political energy. At least in the announcement while the results are awaited. During that time, in the midst of speculation about whether the relationship between Dodik and Čović is weakening, the host Dodik seems to have redeemed himself with a pleasant atmosphere after he did not appear at the official opening of the Business Fair in Mostar, where he was a regular guest. Interestingly, there was no brandy on the table, at least for the public, which is produced by Milorad Dodik’s family and is regularly served in the RS Government building.
