The state blockade by HDZ can be stopped, civic parties must truly be that

Written by: Ernad Metaj

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The fact that the coalition gathered around HDZ, with about 18 percent of the votes won in the FBiH, and much less at the BiH level, decides 100 percent on the fate of the state indicates that BiH is not a democratic country. Political theory has yet to clearly define what kind of political system BiH truly has, but the fact is that democracy has been abused here.

Therefore, it is not surprising that HDZ supports Israel and not Palestine, because they are used to the minority dictating the behavior of the majority. This can be changed, but a more responsible political approach is necessary, both from SDA and from opposition parties that prefer a civic BiH. The interests of individuals and battles for positions on the list must be replaced by the interest of the state.

The main instrument for blockades and blackmail for HDZ are the Houses of Peoples at the entity and state levels. Thus, Dragan Čović's battle for legitimate representation has nothing to do with the fight for the standard of living of Croats, but rather with the desire for a group of selected politicians to continue to reap all the benefits that participation in power provides.

SDA is to blame for the current position of power of HDZ, without which nothing can be done in BiH and FBiH. The fear of distancing themselves even slightly from their coalition partner resulted in SDA handing over to them, with their own hands, a part of the power that did not belong to them, just like to SNSD. The state is paying the price for coalition agreements, but so is SDA, which has largely reduced its own capacity for power.

This brings us back to 2018 and the general elections. The math is clear: from territories not under the exclusive control of HDZ, six delegates can come to the House of Peoples of the FBiH, and these six are the dam against a complete blockade of the Federation. The obligation of civic parties to expand to territories where the majority nation is not Bosniak does not end there.

For this to happen, civic parties must have more multi-ethnicity on their lists, as well as a political commitment to ensure the passage of someone who does not belong to the Bosniak corpus. Moreover, these should truly be Croats, who are no less legitimate because they are not controlled by HDZ. These should be Croats who love BiH, not Bosniaks who have learned to benefit from changing their national affiliation. Bosniaks who become Croats overnight are more dangerous for BiH than HDZ.

The 2022 elections are crucial. HDZ is aware that SDA will not have the same influence on the formation of the Houses of Peoples as before, which is why they are persistently trying to change the Election Law according to their model. In this regard, SDA should not trade with the future of BiH, and civic parties should finally become that in the true sense of the word, even though they receive the most votes from Bosniaks. HDZ is not invincible, it just requires political wisdom and less personal interest from key people in political parties.