DF, SDA and HDZ break off talks, to resume on Sunday

18:56 Talks have been broken off, with a continuation agreed for Sunday. According to unconfirmed information, the stumbling block is the number of ministerial positions each of these three parties is demanding for itself. The SDA was ready to accept having seven ministers in the FBiH government instead of eight. However, this was not acceptable to the HDZ. 

18:50: Party delegations have returned to the room where the talks are taking place, after a short break for additional consultations. 

18:05 Talks are currently suspended. As Patria's reporter learns, a break was taken for additional consultations. Izetbegović and Komšić, together with members of their delegations, went into one room, while Čović and Čavara went into another. As we learn, the atmosphere is quite tense, and based on what the delegations have so far presented as their demands, it will be difficult to reach an agreement that satisfies all three parties. 

We recall, Čović said he was demanding six ministries, after which the DF came out with an identical demand. 

17:10 A meeting of delegations of the parties forming the coalition at the federal level has begun in the building of the Presidency of BiH, reports a reporter from the Patria news agency. 

The SDA delegation includes the party's deputy president Bakir Izetbegović, vice president Adil Osmanović, and the mandate holder for forming the new FBiH government, Fadil Novalić. 

Alongside Democratic Front president Željko Komšić, the negotiating delegation includes the party's general secretary Sifet Podžić and DF Presidency member Emir Suljagić, while alongside HDZ BiH leader Dragan Čović at the negotiating table is vice president Marinko Čavara. 

Today, they are expected to agree on the distribution of ministerial portfolios in the Government of the Federation of BiH, so that by March 11 they will finally have a new Council of Ministers and a Federal government, the parallel establishment of which is conditioned by Čović.