Dodik continues with circus even after coalition meeting: Left press conference after first journalist question

(Patria) - RS President Milorad Dodik showed great nervousness even after the state coalition meeting in Istočno Sarajevo, making several mistakes while presenting the topics from the meeting. Today's court proceedings have clearly left their mark, as he transferred the disrespect shown in the BiH Court to the journalists who came to the press conference.

His address created confusion among journalists as well, and after an N1 journalist asked a question, Dodik snapped at her, saying she clearly wasn't listening. After that, he simply left the podium, followed by Nikšić and Čović. The fact that Dodik made mistakes in his address was also confirmed by SDP leader Nermin Nikšić, who clarified which laws were agreed upon today.

Dodik stated that these were the Law on Courts and the Law on Conflict of Interest, but in reality, it concerns the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering.

He added that these laws will be finalized by the end of this week in order to be adopted by the end of the month. Regarding the Law on Courts, it remains to be agreed where the Appellate Division of the BiH Court will be located.

Concerning the BiH Election Law, it was agreed that it would proceed to working groups that will define certain elements of the law. However, Dodik first stated it was about the Law on the Constitutional Court of BiH, and then corrected himself.


He said that the Resolution on Sovereignty was also discussed at the meeting, but that apart from HDZ, other partners are not ready to support it.

Speaking about the BiH Constitutional Court, Dodik maintained the position that a solution is sought to replace foreign judges with domestic ones.

"We from RS believe that we should move towards drafting a law on the Constitutional Court to replace the participation of foreign judges by having two judges elected from RS, four from FBiH, and three who are citizens of BiH, elected by the BiH Parliament as foreseen. It remains for the partners in FBiH to study this. I believe this is not a new obstruction and that it will be considered, and that we can move quickly towards it," said Dodik.

He added that they are also seeking the unblocking of the eastern and southern interconnection projects, as well as the continuation of the construction of the Buk Bijela hydropower plant and the Trebinje airport.

He also spoke about BiH's European path, stating that they made an exception due to the possibility of starting the negotiation process and agreed to adopt two reform laws.

"We from RS believed that any decision-making at the BiH level should be halted until the issue of the BiH Constitutional Court is resolved. I think it is reasonable to proceed by separating these two laws to make an offer to the EU in the belief that the EU will react positively and grant us negotiator status in the further path towards the EU," said Dodik.

HDZ BiH President Dragan Čović said that the atmosphere at the meeting was excellent.

"We defined that we must work faster in the Council of Ministers so that the Parliamentary Assembly can convene in a short period to get a chance before the arrival of European representatives. I think we will have a faster dynamic regarding all other laws as well. I am satisfied with the way we communicated, and we have strongly opened the door to the EU with today's agreement, and we said that no one should obstruct any economic project," said Čović.

SDP BiH President Nermin Nikšić said that some partners have shown that they are willing to set aside some of their political decisions for the sake of the European path.

"It is very important that we continue in this atmosphere. Before the session of the BiH Parliament, we will have another meeting where we will fine-tune everything we have discussed so that these laws are adopted in the parliamentary sessions. We expect the EU to keep its word, even though among them are those who are not for opening the negotiation process," said Nikšić.

The next meeting will be held very soon, hosted by the 'trojka' (the three parties), given that the session of the House of Representatives is scheduled for October 31.