Čović changes tune and tells Dodik: Return to state institutions and adopt the budget

By: A. Vrabac 

Whether he wants to admit it or not, on March 1st, the President of HDZ BiH Dragan Čović experienced either an epiphany or is aware of the sanctions the European Union could impose on individuals in BiH if they continue with the blockades of BiH's European path and prevent a better life for the citizens of BiH who are leaving their homes in droves.

Quarrels, tensions, threats, blockades, nationalist outbursts, incitement to hatred, blackmail dominate the political and public space in BiH. 

At a time when BiH does not have a budget for 2022, when there are threats of obstructing the election process, and when the EU and NATO's focus, due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, is particularly placed on BiH, last week's debate in the European Parliament resulted in "cooling down hot heads." Dragan Čović was the first to realize this. Of the planned B, C, D if there is no election law according to HDZ's wishes, there will be no more elections. The "peaceful" Čović in recent days, although Andrej Plenković condemned the Russian aggression in his name, visited Ukrainian refugees in Međugorje, held meetings with foreign diplomats, called for joint action, and finally sent a message to his colleague Milorad Dodik that it is time to return to state institutions and that the BiH Parliament should seek BiH's candidate status in the EU. Čović is one of the few politicians who shied away from clearly condemning Russian aggression, which also placed him on the side of pro-Russian players. Such a policy cannot pass in the EU, and Čović has become aware of this. 

Čović also revealed yesterday that the stance of the Joint Collegium of both houses of the BiH Parliament is to request the Council of Ministers of BiH to initiate an accelerated procedure so that the Global Fiscal Framework and the state budget for this year, as well as the budget execution law, can be adopted as soon as possible.

However, why did Čović dramatically change his story? The answer lies in the address of the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, who clearly told the European Parliament that there must be elections in October. Just a few days earlier, Varhelyi had criticized the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Zoran Tegeltija, in London and clearly suggested that BiH institutions must start working.

"We have seen growing political divisions across the country at various levels. These divisions have been further exacerbated by the non-recognition of the new High Representative and the boycott of state institutions. All of this negatively affects not only Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the EU but also the daily lives of people and the economy. We need constructive dialogue and political will from all sides to move forward on the path to the EU. This is even more important in the changed international context, following Russia's war against Ukraine. These events have actually confirmed Bosnia and Herzegovina's European commitment: the country has aligned itself with the EU's statements and decisions on Ukraine, which we highly welcome."

Varhelyi did say that a solution for electoral and constitutional reform needs to be found, but he did not question the October elections if there are no changes to the law in any sentence. And that is the key message – elections will be held either under the new or the current law.

"Honest, free, and inclusive elections must be held in October, as planned. The Ministry of Finance must quickly make the necessary budget available to the Central Election Commission for the organization of electoral procedures. The continuation of the boycott of decision-making at various levels – the Presidency, the Council of Ministers – could jeopardize significant investments, including investments from the Economic and Investment Plan," said Varhelyi.

He reminded that EU funds for projects on Corridor 5c in the RS region will be blocked until a return to state institutions. Milorad Dodik is no longer beating his chest with "other partners" after sanctions were imposed on Russia following the military attack on Ukraine. Dodik is very clearly recognized as an extended arm of the Russian regime, and he remained alone in his claim of neutrality towards Russia's aggression against Ukraine after Serbia voted for the condemnation of Russian aggression in the UN Security Council.

Next week, members of the BiH Presidency and Dragan Čović will participate in a session of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament in Brussels.