Following Christian Schmidt’s “decision” to “impose” changes to the BiH Electoral Law, numerous reactions have emerged from Republika Srpska.
- Petar Đokić, the President of the Socialist Party, stated that Christian Schmidt, by imposing amendments to the BiH Electoral Law, has delivered a severe and painful blow to the democratic development of BiH at a moment when it has embarked on the European path.
Đokić mentioned that it’s utterly absurd for a country, which has finally embarked on the European path, to have a representative from the international community who creates its legislation, instead of this being done by domestic institutions.
- Nedeljko Čubrilović, the President of DEMOS, assessed that domestic political representatives should negotiate on all issues, including the electoral process in BiH, emphasizing that Christian Schmidt should never have allowed himself to impose changes to the BiH Electoral Law.
“It’s especially unacceptable to grant such powers to some kind of BiH Central Electoral Commission to place itself above the authorities and decide who will do what, where, and how. Republika Srpska does not recognize the High Representative, and even if his decisions were of an ideal nature, this is not the way and contribution for BiH to proceed towards European standards and countries that have some integrity,” emphasized Čubrilović.
- Darko Banjac, the President of the People’s Party of Srpska, evaluated Christian Schmidt’s decision on amendments to the BiH Electoral Law as catastrophic, highlighting that Republika Srpska should pass its own electoral law.
Banjac noted that the decision made by Schmidt shows that he does not proceed according to the will of the citizens but rather resorts to force, i.e., disregarding the will of the citizens.
“He would like to change the decision of the citizens through imposed decisions and force. If we talk about jeopardized security, I think Schmidt is the only person who jeopardizes the security of the entire BiH,” said Banjac.
He noted that Schmidt is not a High Representative appointed by the Security Council, and even according to the powers given by the Bonn powers, he does not have the right to impose decisions on amendments to the laws.
- Srebrenka Golić, the Chair of the Council of Peoples of Republika Srpska, stated that imposing laws in BiH is inadmissible because it then raises the question of what kind of European path the country has.
“Imposed solutions cannot lead to the EU, just as it’s impossible with OHR and foreign judges in the Constitutional Court of BiH. It’s unacceptable that Christian Schmidt, a few days after the decision to open negotiations with BiH by the EU, imposes amendments to the BiH Electoral Law,” said Golić.
- Marko Romić, advisor to the President of Republika Srpska, stated that laws in BiH are passed by the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, and the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, not by OHR or Christian Schmidt.
“Schmidt tries to exercise violence and occupy power. He is not a High Representative, he falsely presents himself. In BiH, laws are adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, and the FBiH Parliament. OHR has never had such a mandate. It would be best for Schmidt to step aside as his decisions have only led to discord in BiH,” Romić emphasized.
He stressed that according to the Dayton Agreement, Republika Srpska has the right to have its Electoral Law.
Source: RTRS
