The day after the HDZ meeting with the opposition PDP, SDS and the Justice and Order List from Republika Srpska, it is becoming increasingly clear that a step closer has been made towards a new state coalition. The meeting provoked heated reactions from the ruling majority in Republika Srpska, which characterized it as participation in, as they say, an anti-Serbian platform. The reshuffle of the current Council of Ministers was called a violation of the principle of equality, while the opposition emphasizes that the priority is the functioning of institutions in the interests of citizens.
Judging by the statements of the leaders of the HDZ and opposition parties from Republika Srpska, after the meeting in Kupres, a new coalition at the level of BiH is on the horizon. The partnership agreement should be reached by the end of March or early April at an expanded meeting of the HDZ, PDP, SDS and the Justice and Order List with representatives of the Troika. The key goals of the coalition are peace, stability, reducing political tensions, unblocking the processes that have been initiated and the functioning of institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The President of the HDZ BiH, Dragan Čović, stated that the negotiations would continue with the aim of improving cooperation. He pointed out that the meeting took place in a fair and friendly atmosphere, and that there is room for improving relations. The President of the Justice and Order List, Nebojša Vukanović, said that the participants in the meeting agreed not to disclose details, but assessed the meeting as constructive and better than expected. The President of the PDP, Draško Stanivuković, emphasized that blockades do not benefit anyone, especially not citizens, and that politicians are elected to solve problems, not create them.
The President of the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, is not surprised that Čović called the opposition leaders from the Republika Srpska partners. He believes that the participants in the meeting in Kupres are together ” rooting for Schmidt against the Republika Srpska ” and called Vukanović the federal candidate for Minister of Security. Stevandić emphasized that the Troika is not sincere, that the HDZ is using the position of the Republika Srpska to ensure the survival of Croats, and that it has no sincere and honest intentions towards the Republika Srpska.
Delegate to the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliament Radovan Kovačević believes that the goal of the opposition from Republika Srpska is to enter power, regardless of the fact that, as he says, they do not have the support of the Serbian people and do not care about the price that the RS will pay.
On the other hand, the Chairwoman of the BiH Council of Ministers Borjana Krišto stated that the blockade is not an option and announced a new session of the Council of Ministers on Thursday, although the agenda is not yet known. BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković praised the opposition from Republika Srpska, emphasizing that they never set ultimatums that they had to be in office in order to support the EU path, but supported it even without positions.
Political analysts expect that the new state coalition of the HDZ, the Troika and the opposition from Republika Srpska will soon be official. Political analyst Ivana Marić emphasized that it is logical to look for new partners and take away Dodik’s ability to blackmail. However, he believes that the problem is the three SNSD delegates in the House of Peoples and the way to overcome the blockades, because without a solution to this situation, it will not be possible to adopt the law and continue BiH’s European path.
In the meantime, a group of deputies of the House of Representatives sent an initiative to Borjana Krišto to appoint Nebojša Vukanović as Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Krišto should forward this initiative for further procedure, after which the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH should declare its opinion on his appointment.
