In order for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession negotiations with the European Union to open on March 21, the Council of Europe session needs to adopt laws on preventing money laundering, conflict of interests and courts. Amendments to the electoral law are among the important priorities. The coalition of SNSD, HDZ and “Troika” is under serious test.
The adoption of three laws is the absolute minimum for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it is possible to work on the integrity and improvement of the electoral process, the introduction of electronic devices and equipment, is the message of the head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina. He called on domestic politicians to agree as soon as possible on the adoption of the necessary acts for BiH’s European path.
Johan Sattler, head of the EU Delegation in BiH
“Amendments to the electoral law are an indisputable priority of the EU and one of the key 14 priorities. However, I think it is impossible to resolve the open questions regarding the election process within two weeks.”
The leader of the SNSD reacted to the warning of the high representative Christian Schmidt that the domestic authorities must adopt technical changes to the electoral law by March, regardless of whether they will reach an agreement with political changes in the BiH Presidency.
Milorad Dodik, president of SNSD
“If this nothingness called Schmidt tries to do something about the electoral law and put an end to the European path, we will pass our electoral law and conduct elections in our republican electoral commission”.
The US Embassy also spoke out because of, as they stated, Dodik’s anti-Dayton rhetoric.
American Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Dodik continues to practice a policy of blockade and blackmail while trying to blame others for the lack of progress. The main obstacle to the European future of BiH is Mr. Dodik and his destructive politics.”
The leaders of the Troika are explicit – this is not the time for ultimatums from either the SNSD or HDZ leaders, and we do not agree to blackmail. If these three laws are not adopted, they say that the culprit will not be the “Troika”.
Edin Forto, president of Our Party
“There are three parts, not only about electing members of the Presidency, but also about electing members of the CEC, but also the part that we popularly call the integrity package, which are technical changes that would improve the electoral process and reduce manipulations.”
Elmedin Konaković, president of NiP
“We have reached the stage where we have open negotiations with just 3 laws. If the HDZ blocks it because of the Election Law, and Dodik blocks it because of the Constitutional Court, according to the reaction of the international community, and I personally took care of it, the culprits will be known.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot function in the long term if someone else elects the representatives of the Croatian people, is the position of the HDZ president and he pointed out that the representatives of the Croatian people are the only ones who sincerely lead the European
Dragan Čović, president of the HDZ
“We emphasize in one concept that we put some supervision in case someone else rushes to tell the Croats not to do it. We called that element deterrence and look at the reactions. It’s a symbolic change that they immediately called a third entity.”
The strength of the ruling coalition of SNSD, HDZ and the “Troika” is being seriously tested – will they adopt three key laws or will they block the European path with blackmail, BHRT writes.
