The special session, which will address the “Information and position on the revocation of the mandate of the President of Republika Srpska” and the “Adoption of the decision on calling a referendum,” is essential because the decisions of the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the Court of BiH violate the Constitution of Republika Srpska, and the National Assembly must take a position on the matter, said MP Srđan Mazalica following a telephone session of the Collegium of the National Assembly.
“In the information we presented, we offered the reasoning proposed by us, the MPs of the parliamentary majority, and explained why these decisions represent a violation of the Constitution of Republika Srpska, which the National Assembly — the very institution that adopted the Constitution — must now address. That makes this session extremely important,” Mazalica emphasized.
He added that he regretted the opposition MPs abstained.
“The Constitution of Republika Srpska clearly states that the president’s mandate can end only by death, resignation, or recall — and recall is only possible in the same manner the president was elected,” Mazalica said.
He stressed that a lower-level body like the CEC cannot revoke the mandate of the president of Republika Srpska.
“This might apply to an MP, but when it comes to the president, the Constitution of Republika Srpska provides for the manner of election, and any possible recall can occur only through a referendum. That is why we convened this session and proposed the adoption of a decision to call a referendum,” he explained.
Mazalica also reminded that, according to the opinion of the Venice Commission, the Constitution of Republika Srpska is aligned with the Constitution of BiH.
“According to the Venice Commission’s assessment, the Constitution of Republika Srpska is harmonized with the Constitution of BiH, and therefore, with this decision of the CEC, not only the Constitution of Republika Srpska was violated — but also the Constitution of BiH,” Mazalica concluded.
Source: RTRS
