One change would mean that if the numbers of members of Bosnia’s constituent nations – Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs – in any Federation entity canton are less than 3 per cent, they will no longer have representatives in the House of Peoples of the Federation parliament.īosniak partie criticised the plans as discriminatory, claiming they are designed only to help the the HDZ, but on Wednesday both US and UK top diplomats in Bosnia voiced full support for the decisions of the High Representative.ĭragan Cović, head of the HDZ in Bosnia, has strongly advocated for the changes. The draft decision listed changes to the law in relation to the functioning of the houses of parliament, the election of the leadership of the Federation entity, the election of judges to the Federation entity’s Constitutional Court as well as changes to ensure the integrity of the election process. Less than four months before the general elections, the OHR, the international office overseeing Bosnia’s post-war peace settlement, intended to introduce changes using its executive powers. The latest attempt happened in January with the moderation of the international community in Bosnia’s coastal town of Neum, when political leaders again refused possible changes. Why would the HDZ negotiate with us when they know that they might get what they wanted from Schmidt?” Pedja Kojovic, leader of Nasa Stranka (Our Party) told the media after the meeting with the High Representative.įor almost two years, political leaders in Bosnia have tried to agree on changes to the election law and to the Constitution of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the larger of the two entities in the country, but all the attempts have failed. This has been our problem since the beginning. “From the beginning, we are forced to agree with people who do not want to agree. For now, he will make changes only regarding transparency of the election process,” Nermin Niksic, president of the Social Democratic Party, told the media after the meeting. “I am satisfied that we will not have a decision by the High Representative. If they fail to do that, I will take responsibility based on the Dayton Peace Agreement, given to me by those who signed it,” Schmidt said.Īmid protests that started in Sarajevo on Monday and ended on Wednesday, leaders of parties in the Federation met the German diplomat on Wednesday, most of them voicing optimism. This is not a friendly suggestion, this is their obligation. I expect them to do something for the country and for the people of the country where they live. “Today I also spoke very clearly with the leaders of the main parties from the Federation.
#Bonn powers bosnia free#
“Today, I impose a package of transparency that guarantees a free and fair campaign,” he said. Schmidt said he will give politicians in the Federation entity a new timeline to find their own solution but will impose significant changes to the election law, if they fail to reach an agreement. Photo by EPA-EFE/FEHIM DEMIRĪmid three days of protests in Sarajevo supported by the main Bosniak parties, the international envoy to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, on Wednesday only partially imposed changes to the election law in time for the October elections despite protests mostly by Bosniak parties.
The High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, German diplomat Christian Schmidt.
0 kommentar(er)
