US Embassy strongly calls out Dodik: Conclusions of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska are a direct attack on BiH's state structure and the Dayton Agreement

(Patria) - The conclusions and law that Milorad Dodik and his partners in the ruling coalition of Republika Srpska pushed through the National Assembly of Republika Srpska yesterday represent a direct attack on the state structure of BiH and the Dayton Peace Agreement.

This was announced tonight by the US Embassy in BiH via the X platform, after the National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted the Draft Law on the Election Law of Republika Srpska early this morning.

"As Mr. Dodik and his associates often do, they have shown contempt for democracy and political pluralism by using unprecedented language in addressing Assembly members who opposed these measures.

Unfortunately, this is in line with Mr. Dodik's ongoing campaign aimed at depriving the citizens of Republika Srpska of their fundamental rights and freedoms.

It is not surprising that Mr. Dodik and his sycophants have attacked what the High Representative recently did to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process, because free and fair elections are an existential threat to parties that rely on deception to stay in power.

https://t.co/LllNTR4icC

— US Embassy Sarajevo (@USEmbassySJJ) March 29, 2024

The Draft Election Law of Republika Srpska, adopted yesterday, would usurp state competencies and create a parallel electoral system. This is another example of Mr. Dodik's destructive, anti-Dayton policy that stands in the way of Bosnia and Herzegovina's integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

And make no mistake, the progress Bosnia and Herzegovina has recently made in the European integration process, while welcome, has been achieved in spite of, not thanks to, Mr. Dodik.

If Mr. Dodik wishes to facilitate the closure of the Office of the High Representative and accelerate BiH's integration into European institutions, he can do so by engaging in constructive negotiations aimed at achieving consensus and compromise, as well as by accepting reforms that align with European standards, instead of resisting them with a policy of blocking, blackmail, and harassment.

Yesterday's session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska is further proof that Mr. Dodik does not care about the people in this country, including the residents of Republika Srpska, and that he is willing to sacrifice the prosperity of his voters for his own political and financial interests.

The United States firmly supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina and will continue to use the tools at its disposal in response to anti-Dayton actions," the US Embassy stated.