We have heard various combinations these days when it comes to the future partners in power after the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although the most certain contenders are SNSD, HDZ BiH and SDA, other political factors are also not in dispute to see themselves in one of the possible options. For more specific moves, we are still waiting for the negotiation platforms that would be presented individually by the bodies of the political parties.
The election results have not yet been declared final, but this does not prevent political parties from taking positions for negotiations on participation in government. After SDP was included in the preliminary talks, there was speculation about the dissolution of the alliance with NiP and Our Party. Elmedin Konaković disputes such claims and hints at individual decision-making.
ELMEDIN KONAKOVIĆ, NiP
“Now before us, of course, is the question of the organs of our parties: who will, who has the capacity, who can, who wants to, in what way to join the coalition. We have stated our views – SNSD is no longer close, because of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first place”.
At the same moment, a reply from SNSD arrived. Konaković is accused of trying to form a coalition with losers from Republika Srpska.
STAŠA KOŠARAC, SNSD
“Yes, we have different political interests and goals, but we have never contested the electoral will of the Bosniak and Croat people. We have never worked to delegitimize the electoral will. We do not allow Dino Konaković and the like to do that when it comes to the Serbian people.”
The SDA claim that their focus is not on the attempt to include the SDP in the government. They also have a message for those who reject SNSD or HDZ, which together with SDA won the election.
RAMIZ SALKIĆ, SDA
“We are afraid of HDZ and SNSD by those who are still in power with them. Both at the federal and state level. And now they are explaining who can do anything with HDZ and SNSD, and they are sitting in power”.
Even the opposition from Republika Srpska would not miss even the slightest chance, if the opportunity arose to reach the BiH Council of Ministers.
NEBOJŠA VUKANOVIĆ, List “For justice and order”
“Whoever enters the government from the Federation with Dodik, you know what, they will be crushed between a rock and a hard place. I warn them, no one has to enter. How many SNSD and HDZ have – 13 out of 42 deputies, and the House of Representatives elects the Council of Ministers. They do not have a majority, so it has to be”.
HDZ BiH was the first to start preliminary talks, and tomorrow they will define the negotiating platform by sticking to the old mantra – the election law.
MIJO MATANOVIĆ, HDZ BiH
“A session of the Presidency has been scheduled for Friday. It is likely that certain points to be presented to future partners will be defined at this meeting; furthermore, I believe it is high time for the Election Law to be taken out of the drawer and given the green light.”
ALMIR BEČAREVIĆ, Party for BiH
“There is more media coverage of certain matters than what is actually taking place. As for the Party for BiH, we are holding a Presidency meeting tomorrow, where we will analyze the election results and everything that lies ahead in the coming period.”
Several other parties have also announced meetings of their respective governing bodies by the end of the week, ensuring they are poised and ready—in the starting blocks, as it were—for the announcement of the final election results, so that they may proceed to more serious negotiations, BHRT writes.
