Čović opens his cards, imposing budget decisions would be a catastrophic mistake

(Patria) - HDZ President Dragan Čović, after today's HNS session, addressed the public stating that he will not succumb to foreign pressure to violate procedures regarding the financing of the election process and that it would be catastrophic if Christian Schmidt imposed any decisions in this regard.

"I informed my colleagues about the pressures that are being exerted daily, especially in the last twenty days, on the Council of Ministers, particularly on the Minister of Finance. What I believe is the right path regarding our stance is to consistently respect the laws, no matter who asks for something different. No minister can be asked to break the law, whatever the excuse," Čović said.

He added that those who have been asking to finance the elections "from the side" could have done so in the last 6 months for BiH to get a budget.

"Fortunately, if we have achieved anything good from this, it is that we have managed to adopt two key documents that have their own timeline. I hope that by the end of the day, the minister will gather the proposals that have come in and submit the draft budget to the Council of Ministers," Čović said.

He emphasized that he will not succumb to anyone's pressure to violate laws and procedures.

"To all those who are so vocal today, attempting to emphasize this as a blockade of any kind, we will respond very clearly and consistently respect the laws. This applies to these people from outside who are trying to send us messages, as well as to political Sarajevo, very clearly, political Sarajevo, which is creating so much confusion in an attempt to conduct a campaign through such a thesis. The question is how they will conduct the campaign when the Council of Ministers adopts the budget in five or six days," Čović pointed out.

He further stated that when the decision of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina arrives, he will certainly convene a session of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

"I fear that they will prolong it a bit longer. The procedures are such that it is not enough for someone to say that something has been adopted by the Constitutional Court. According to the law, they must provide us with the verdict, and I think about ten days will be spent on that," Čović believes.

He added that he is convinced that the election law will be adopted in the House of Peoples.

"I told the High Representative that it would be a catastrophically wrong mistake to impose any decisions when it comes to the BiH budget," said the HDZ president.

He said that he will show the public that the HDZ's proposal is good and fair.

"As for the jihad policy that has been incorporated into the campaign, I do not wish to comment on it. Neither Izetbegović nor anyone else. He is already saying different things about minorities. He sees that his time is up in many aspects regarding the way he conducts politics," Čović said.

In addition, he stated that the federal organization of Bosnia and Herzegovina has no alternative.