Forto announces first move: Dismissal of the Sarajevo Canton Health Center Director

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – The designate for the composition of the new Sarajevo Canton Government, whose appointment is expected in the last week of December, Edin Forto, confirmed three names today who will most likely be ministers.

These are three cadres who were already ministers in the "Six" Government and are returning to the same positions: Lejla Brčić (Our Party) Minister of Justice and Administration, Adnan Šteta (SDP BiH) Minister of Transport, and Admir Katica (NIP) Minister of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton.

“I can confirm for Minister Brčić, everything else should wait for additional confirmation, this is still unofficial. Negotiations on forming the Government will continue in the coming days”, said Forto, adding that there will be four women in the Sarajevo Canton Government.   

One of the names is also Adnan Delić, who was the "Four" candidate for the mayor of Novi Grad municipality, and lost to Semir Efendić (SDA) by only a few hundred votes. The president of NIP, Elmedin Konaković, said that they are seriously counting on Delić and that he is a breath of fresh air on the political scene. The lack of political experience is highlighted as a weakness for Delić.

“Adnan Delić’s success is not a surprise to me. I had the opportunity to see him during the campaign and spend time with him. He is a hard worker, and when such a person enters politics, it is a gain for the entire country.”

During his guest appearance on TVSA’s Weekend Program today, Forto stated that it is shocking how primary healthcare is managed and that the management of the Sarajevo Canton Health Center is poor. The director of the Sarajevo Canton Health Center is Muhamed Ahmić from BOSS.

“The first step is to prepare the dismissal in that institution as soon as possible. Healthcare must undergo a transformation. I think it is necessary to remove some incentives that drove some people to enter our healthcare system. We must remove the ambitions of individuals who are focused on themselves”, said Forto.

The future old/new Prime Minister said that the "Four" and independent deputies do not form a mathematical coalition but a programmatic one.

“We are united around a program, and citizens recognized and rewarded that in these Local Elections”, said Forto.

He stated that the program presented by the new parliamentary majority has been expanded with measures related to Covid 19 and the healthcare system. He spoke particularly about the economic crisis that will follow in 2021.

“The economic crisis will hit us in 2021, and what we have in Sarajevo is that we are an administrative center, and employees at five levels of government receive salaries from the budget. Salaries have not been reduced, many do not understand how bad this economic crisis is. Many do not understand that in Western Europe and the USA, millions of people have lost their jobs. This crisis in 2021 will show its true face; according to estimates, the budget will be smaller by almost 200 million KM. Far fewer wishes will be possible to fulfill”, said Forto.

He adds that they will change the method of strategic procurement in healthcare and utility companies, which will also affect the fight against corruption.

He announced that a breakthrough will be needed regarding public city transport, which must be safe and regular.

"Citizens themselves said that the biggest problem in Sarajevo Canton is public city transport, and we have directed a large part of the Budget funds to transport, including loan funds. When citizens ask for something, it takes time to respond, but I think we can do a lot in these two years", said Forto.