Dragan Čović at a crossroads between Brussels and Bleiburg

By Haris Ljevo

The President of HDZ BiH Dragan Čović was present on Saturday in Bleiburg at the commemoration of fallen members of the Ustasha formations of the criminal NDH, one of the main allies of Hitler's Nazi Germany and Mussolini's fascist Italy during World War II.

Unlike in previous years when Bleiburg was a gathering place for thousands of people dressed in Ustasha uniforms, who openly mourned the failed and defeated quisling state while singing Ustasha songs, this time the Austrian authorities ordered increased security measures and strict controls of all insignia and symbols worn by those gathered, and many were even banned from crossing the border to attend this rally.

The rally is held every year in mid-May under the pretext of marking the suffering of "innocent" Croatian civilians and soldiers, but from the statements of the speakers in Bleiburg, it is clear that the rally is mainly used to mourn that defeated "state".

Member of the Presidency of BiH Dragan Čović took the opportunity to speak to those gathered in Bleiburg about the current political situation in BiH, which doesn't really have much to do with the Bleiburg story. Or perhaps Čović thinks it does.

- As on many occasions before, when we were put to the greatest historical tests, we managed to break free. I am convinced that we will once again find the unity that we need now more than ever and find a way and form a common response to these modern challenges of our people - Čović told those gathered on the Bleiburg field.

It should be emphasized that this year's commemoration was not attended by Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, while the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković was booed during his speech. On the other hand, Čović elicited applause from the attendees. And that says something.

And while Dragan Čović is giving a speech at the largest neo-Ustasha gathering on the soil of modern Europe, the mayor of Mostar and member of Čović's HDZ, Ljubo Bešlić, calls the commemoration of Victory over Fascism Day and the opening of the renovated Partisan Cemetery in Mostar a provocation and a destabilizing event. Does it even need to be stated that no one from HDZ attended the commemoration of Victory over Fascism Day?

Modern Europe today prides itself on being founded and created on anti-fascism, so May 9th is also celebrated as Europe Day.

All of this should be used by representatives of political parties in BiH in discussions with representatives of the international community in BiH during negotiations on the Election Law and other important matters.

It is necessary to stop Dragan Čović once and for all in his maximalist demands with which he holds the entire country hostage to his own political goals. A decision must be made once and for all whether this country will go to the EU or to the dark past.

Either Brussels or Bleiburg. The two do not go together.