Will HDZ BiH agree to five seats in the FBiH Government?

Although Bakir Izetbegović, deputy president of SDA, is outside of BiH, negotiations on forming the FBiH Government, and thus establishing authority at all other levels, are ongoing, writes the BiH news agency Patria.

There are no official meetings and there won't be any until Friday or the weekend, but as we learn, various consultations are being held by phone.

Izetbegović announced that everyone will have to give up maximalist demands, which means that, at the very least, if they want to reach an agreement, the demands of HDZ BiH, DF, and SDA will have to be significantly more realistic and modest.

In that vein, Patria learns that the distribution of portfolios in the FBiH Government could be based on the principle of 5 seats for HDZ BiH, 5 for DF, and 5 for SDA, with SDA and DF jointly proposing the Minister of Agriculture, Water Management, and Forestry.

Reportedly, Milorad Dodik, leader of SNSD, "pressured" by financial difficulties in RS, asked Dragan Čović to give up the sixth Serb seat.

The deadline for establishing authority is approaching, as March 11 is the final date by which the BiH Council of Ministers must be appointed, and HDZ BiH does not want to establish state authority without the FBiH Government.

Željko Komšić, leader of DF, announced the possibility of resuming negotiations, but that concessions should be made, primarily by HDZ BiH, which for now firmly stands behind its demands for six ministerial positions, including the Ministry of Finance, for which DF is interested. However, as Čović's goal is the fastest possible establishment of authority, it is realistic to expect him to give up some of his demands.

On the other hand, Izetbegović and individuals from SDA have clearly stated in recent days that seeking a new partner is out of the question, as is forming a minority government. For them, the doors to DF are wide open for talks on forming the FBiH Government.

The option is open for DF to take the Ministry of Finance at the state level, and HDZ BiH in the FBiH Government.