The Vice President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), Refik Lendo (SDA), spoke about the general situation in the FBiH and assessed that institutions are formally functioning, but that the essential problems are deep and long-term. In addition, the upcoming elections were also a topic.
“The FBiH is functioning, but overall, citizens of the FBiH today find themselves in a kind of blockade, both externally and internally. Jobs are disappearing in the FBiH, there is more and more public administration on the budget, and the worst problem is the shutdown of media outlets,” Lendo said.
He emphasizes that the issue of trust is a key political issue in BiH, but that responsibility does not lie exclusively with one political option.
“Everyone has their share of responsibility, positive contributions, and mistakes. It is high time that we finally start talking without preconditions,” he stated.
He stresses that solutions cannot be made unilaterally.
Commenting on the adopted budget of the FBiH, Lendo warned about its structure and long-term consequences.
“When we take into account that the budget is over eight billion BAM, and that we have fewer employed people and more pensioners, it is clear that this is a consumption and election budget,” Lendo believes.
He sees the level of borrowing as particularly problematic.
“We are borrowing more than two billion BAM, and this year we have to repay around one billion and 300 million. Very little funds remain for investments, development, infrastructure, and new jobs,” he points out.
Lendo believes that the ban on the disposal of state property seriously hinders the development of the FBiH.
“It is a complete blockade of the development of local communities. Roads cannot be built, construction permits cannot be issued, investors cannot be attracted,” he said.
He emphasizes that the High Representative must offer a solution.
Speaking about the Southern Gas Interconnection, Lendo believes that the arrival of United States (U.S.) investors is a positive and realistic opportunity.
“It is good that U.S. companies have appeared. If it had remained only on our negotiations, by 2027, we would not have done anything,” he explains.
Referring to the upcoming elections, Lendo believes that SDA has the capacity to offer a strong candidate.
“In addition to the fact that the candidate comes from the SDA party, it is also important that the candidate is legitimate and that he has the trust of the membership and voters behind him. The candidate must be legitimate and have the support of all party members,” Lendo points out.
In response to the question of whether it will be Mr. Izetbegovic, Lendo stated that nothing is certain yet, but that this possibility is not excluded.
He also does not exclude the possibility of a woman’s candidacy.
“SDA has capable and politically active women who could be candidates for a member of the Presidency,” he stated, Klix.ba writes.
