Turbulent times in the Independent Bloc: Resistance to the current regime

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Independent Bloc held a session of the Party Presidency, Founders' Club, and Grand Committee today, rejecting all attempts to destabilize the Independent Bloc from within and without, and confirming its commitment to the new policy and principles on which the party was founded – namely, opposing the current regime and its affiliates, the NB announced on Friday evening.

The statement further stated:

"No pressure, blackmail, media spin, or buying of MPs by the regime majority will change the Independent Bloc's stance. The Party Presidency and the Grand Committee have given full support to the Party leadership headed by President Senad Šepić and supported the continuation of negotiations within the broad political center and partnership relations with the BH Bloc and parties that desire change and new governments in BiH.

The Ethics Committee of the Independent Bloc also convened and unanimously passed decisions to expel members from the party: Omer Škaljo, Elmedin Voloder, Sadik Ahmetović, Marijana Šećibović, and Refik Šećibović. This approach and the principles of the Ethics Committee's work were supported by both the Presidency and the founders of the Independent Bloc.   

The aforementioned members acted contrary to the Party's Statute and program, as well as other individual decisions made by the competent bodies and institutions of the NB, particularly during the vote in the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, at the session held on January 9, 2019, contrary to the conclusions and positions of the NB Presidency, and they have repeatedly acted and carried out activities contrary to the party's Statute, which resulted in the signing of a document joining a new political bloc, without consultation with party bodies, as well as the continuous refusal to sign the candidate's Statement of renouncing at least 20% of the monthly salary for the Independent Bloc's Solidarity Fund for supporting student scholarships. The aforementioned members, through their behavior, actions, or conduct, have caused damage to the interests and reputation of individual party bodies and the Party as a whole, and have therefore been expelled from membership.

The Independent Bloc calls on all members and activists who support the new policy and approach of the NB to join and participate in internal party elections, and invites all interested students to respond to the public call of the NB Solidarity Fund for scholarships funded by elected and appointed officials of the Independent Bloc."