State coalition not meeting for months: Čović arbitrates between Dodik and the 'Troika'

By Amra Vrabac

The last official meeting of the presidents and representatives of the parties forming the state government was held on October 16, 2023. Since then, the parties forming the government in FBiH – SDP, NIP, Naša stranka, and Dragan Čović's HDZ – have been holding regular meetings.

The last meeting of state partners was announced for December 11 at the BiH Parliament, but Milorad Dodik and the SNSD delegation canceled their attendance because not all party leaders forming the government would be present. Elmedin Konaković was absent then, as he was on an official trip as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH. However, instead of Konaković, Kemal Ademović, the first deputy president of NIP, was supposed to attend the meeting. Ademović last attended a coalition meeting in Konjic on June 30, and after a heated discussion, Dodik cursed the genocide, after which Ademović left the meeting. This could be the reason why Dodik canceled the scheduled meeting, as he wanted to avoid meeting Ademović.

In the meantime, Dragan Čović and Milorad Dodik held a meeting in Banja Luka, and a few days later, Čović and the 'Troika' parties also met. However, there are no joint meetings; instead, Čović is playing the role of an arbitrator.

It is no secret that Dodik has repeatedly supported Čović in his demands for changes to the Election Law of BiH, even stating, "Whatever Čović says they have agreed upon in FBiH, I will support."

On the other hand, Čović supports Dodik's stance on the elimination of foreign judges from the Constitutional Court of BiH, stating that the 'Troika' also holds such a stance, they just haven't determined when it should be implemented. The 'Troika' has not denied Čović's claim.

As January 9 approaches and nationalist tensions from RS intensify, the 'Troika' is still digesting their holiday meals. For days, they haven't mentioned Dodik, instead arguing with SDA over the public broadcaster and fee collection.

Although in BiH it is said that "silence implies consent," it is hard to believe that the 'Troika' does not have a stance on the non-compliance with the decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH and the force being exerted by Dodik and the RS Ministry of Internal Affairs.

January 9 is just around the corner, and besides the 'Troika', the international community is also sluggish. Provoking is Dodik's old tactic. However, now it is a provocation to both the international community and the 'Troika', for whom a coalition with Dodik's SNSD could mean the end of their political activity.