Turbulent in Goražde: Serbs' vital national interest (not) the dismissal of Bosniaks

GORAŽDE, (Patria) - The issue of vital national interest has caused a real storm in the Assembly of BPK Goražde.

The Club of the Serb People unanimously decided that the proposal to dismiss deputy chairwoman Edita Velić (DF) represents a threat to the vital national interest of the Serb people. The Club of Bosniaks, by a majority of votes, believes that the aforementioned decision does not threaten the vital national interest of any people in any way. 

The majority from the Club of Bosniaks demands that the decision be put to a vote, because Edita Velić is not only being replaced by another Bosniak, but a member of the same party will be appointed to the assembly leadership. The chairwoman Daliborka Milović (Liberal Party) believes that there should be no vote until the Constitutional Court of FBiH decides whether it is a violation of national interest.

Member of the Assembly of BPK Goražde Senad Čeljo (Party for BiH) announced that 14 members will convene in the hallway if necessary and continue the session because it is not right for three members of the Serb people to blackmail the majority.

"Excuse me, with full respect, but we will not allow you to bring us to a situation where this Assembly depends on your decisions. In this way, you can block any decision in the canton, knowing that the Constitutional Court Council that decides on vital national interest has not been formed. We will not allow ourselves to be hostages of your unfulfilled desire to be part of the parliamentary majority. Don't force us to bend the rules, and we are prepared to do so," said Čeljo.

Čeljo considers this stance justified because the OHR in Tuzla confirmed that replacing a representative of one nation with a representative of the same nation is not a vital national interest.

The President of the SDA Club, Mirsad Žuga, believes that the behavior of the Club of the Serb People is not correct because recently no one in the Assembly questioned the right of the Club of the Serb People to elect its representative to the assembly leadership. An explanation of the decision of the Club of the Serb People was requested from the Chairwoman of the Assembly, after which a break in the session followed.