New FBiH Government by End of Week: Izetbegović Satisfied with Ministers Proposed by Radončić

A meeting was held in the afternoon at the Presidency of BiH building, attended by SDA and SBB leaders Bakir Izetbegović and Fahrudin Radončić, as well as the federal prime minister and the prime minister of Sarajevo Canton, Fadil Novalić and Elmedin Konaković, reports a reporter from the Patria news agency.  

Radončić was the first to leave the building, giving no statements, and merely waved to the few journalists from his car. Shortly after him, Novalić and Konaković came out of the building, who also did not wish to give statements, except that the prime minister of Sarajevo Canton only said there was nothing to say.  

The only one to address the journalists was Izetbegović, who said there were no problems at the meeting, and that today they discussed the formation of the new composition of the Federal Government, and “that we will have it by the end of October,” and by the end of November also the cantonal ones. 

-We talked about specific names, but also about projects we can do together. We understood very well what can be done to have a successful coalition, Izetbegović emphasized.

He said he cannot speculate on names, and that the SBB will disclose the names that the SDA has agreed to. He also confirmed that the national balance of the FBiH Government will be respected.

When asked by a journalist whether it is true that Radončić requested the position of prime minister of Sarajevo Canton, Izetbegović said there is no truth in that, and that they are in a very relaxed phase of discussion, i.e., talks about what needs to be done quickly together in this city to feel the work of the new coalition.

-In Sarajevo, it is necessary to resolve heating and infrastructure. The prime ministers are not dissatisfied with the proposed names, said Izetbegović, adding that Radončić proposed for ministers people who are members of the SBB, but are not particularly prominent in the party leadership.

When asked by a journalist whether among the proposed names is former federal minister Erdal Trhulj, Izetbegović replied that he is not on the list.