Statements by SDA leader Bakir Izetbegović suggesting that Milorad Dodik should be removed “by force” have triggered strong political reactions in Republika Srpska, where officials and representatives of the ruling coalition described the remarks as a serious threat and called on the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina to react.
According to officials in Banja Luka, Izetbegović’s comments represent an unacceptable form of political rhetoric and should be investigated by the competent judicial institutions.
Speaking in an interview with the Federation Television, Izetbegović also commented on future political developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, expressing the view that opposition parties from Republika Srpska, together with parties gathered within the European People’s Party framework, could contribute to what he described as a “complete turnaround” if they achieve success in the upcoming elections.
President of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan stated that the call to remove Dodik by force represents the culmination of what he described as a long-running political campaign originating from Sarajevo against Republika Srpska and its constitutional position.
Ana Trišić Babić, from the Office for International Cooperation of Republika Srpska, described the statements as a direct call for political violence, arguing that such rhetoric would provoke immediate international reactions if similar remarks had been directed against political representatives from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Prime Minister Savo Minić also condemned the statements, saying that calls for the use of force and political elimination have no place in a democratic society and further deepen political divisions within Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the same interview, Izetbegović referred to the recent declaration signed under the auspices of the European People’s Party, noting that representatives of the SDS and PDP had also signed the document alongside HDZ BiH. He argued that, if those political forces were to prevail in the elections and implement the principles contained in the declaration, Bosnia and Herzegovina would experience a significant political shift based on the rule of law, constitutional order and the country’s European path.
Officials from the ruling coalition in Republika Srpska interpreted those remarks as confirmation that the SDA sees opposition parties in Republika Srpska as future political partners.
Ana Trišić Babić argued that such cooperation had already been established, while SNSD parliamentary representative Milorad Kojić claimed that Izetbegović’s statements demonstrate that, in his view, the ultimate objective remains the centralisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Dodik representing the principal political obstacle to that process.
Luciano Kaluža, an expert in international relations, stated that the rhetoric reflects a broader political approach in which, according to his assessment, force is increasingly presented as a means of resolving political disputes after diplomatic and political efforts have failed.
Officials in Republika Srpska maintain that such statements further contribute to political tensions and insist that competent judicial institutions should determine whether the remarks warrant legal action.
Source: Glas Srpske
