Čović responds to Nikšić via Minister Škobić: Dream as much as you want, respect the constitutional order of BiH, the category of citizens does not exist

(Patria) - Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH and President of the SDP Nermin Nikšić today in Sarajevo commented to the media on the statement of the President of HDZ BiH Dragan Čović regarding the political situation in BiH and that "three federal units" would bring long-term stabilisation to BiH. Although Nikšić also issued a longer post on social media yesterday presenting his own stance and that of the SDP, which he leads, today he strongly opposed Čović's idea and stated that he would never agree to it.

"It is the holiday season, so everyone is expressing some wishes. We have one part of Bosnia and Herzegovina expressing a desire for secession, and then we have this story about three federal units. Of course, we also have our own wishes, how we want to see Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state with one president, one government, one parliament, at the state and local levels. Since we all have some wishes that cannot be fulfilled, we need to seek compromise, talk, and reach a point where everyone would be equally dissatisfied or equally satisfied. Of course, for us, Bosnia and Herzegovina is above all," said Nikšić.

In yesterday's post, he stated that given the need to ensure genuine political democracy, the time has come for a political system that will guarantee every citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina the right to run for the Presidency and the House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, without discrimination based on ethnic affiliation and without granting special rights to constituent peoples while excluding minorities or citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"There are no objective criteria for someone's ethnic affiliation. It depends solely on a person's own self-determination. This is a position in which I did not quote the programme of the SDP of Bosnia and Herzegovina or any other political option or movement. I quoted the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, and only parts of a series of formulations that literally condemn the model of ethnic preference. The rulings provide clear guidance on what kind of electoral model is European," Nikšić stated.

However, HDZ leader Dragan Čović, to whom Nikšić apologised just a few days ago in Mostar for overriding the vote on the Law on the Southern Gas Interconnection and justified it by pressure from the US ambassador, did not react to these statements by Nikšić. But that does not mean Čović did not hear them.

Thus, RTRS published a statement by the Minister of Justice of the Federation of BiH, Vedran Škobić (HDZ BiH), in which he directly referred to Nikšić's views.

"The constitutional order of BiH must be respected, and the statement by the Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Nermin Nikšić, is unrealistic. Although I appreciate the Prime Minister and his efforts for the well-being of this country, such statements by an official are unrealistic. These are his personal wishes and pretensions. It is allowed for someone to dream about something they like. So I also dream about something else. But I believe that BiH should be seen as it is," Škobić stated.

He emphasised that it is a fact that BiH is a country of three equal constituent peoples and others.

"Also, the category of 'citizens' is often mentioned. That category does not exist. There are Serbs, Bosniaks, and Croats who are also citizens of this country. We must respect each other. And we must not 'erase' each other," Škobić stated.