Izetbegović: SDA will negotiate with all winning parties

“SDA will negotiate with all winning parties on forming the government, with those to whom the people have given their trust,” said SDA Deputy Chairman Bakir Izetbegović after today’s session of the SDA Collegium, which summarized the results of the elections held on Sunday, October 12, reports the reporter of the BiH news agency Patria.  

Answering a question from a Patria journalist whether this also includes Fahrudin Radončić’s Alliance for Better Future of BiH, Izetbegović answered affirmatively.

“Yes. The Alliance for a Better Future is close to DF. Of course, we have to wait for the official data on November 10, but SDA will negotiate with all parties. The talks will materialize in about ten days when we have the final results, and I will also be absent for a week. SDA has a very good position, and we intend to take over the most important levers and assume responsibility at this difficult moment for the country,” said Izetbegović.

He further explained that winning parties include HDZ BiH, SNSD, or SDS, but that it will not be possible to form a government without SDA.

“You saw that there were such calculations, but we are the will of the people, and today Željko Komšić dispelled such ideas with his statement. It would be truly irresponsible and very risky to exclude a party that has such results and historical merits. Therefore, SDA has emerged in the leading position. I think those calculations are in the past. There is SDA’s preference, and these are the winning parties. The will of the people should be respected,” added Izetbegović.

The SDA Deputy Chairman also commented on the statements of HDZ BiH leader Dragan Čović, who said that the government could be formed by the end of the year.

“You know, Dragan Čović always makes optimistic statements. It was similar last time with forming the government and with resolving the ‘Sejdić and Finci’ issue. We will do everything to make it go quickly this time, but whether it will be this year, we will see. There is a desire and readiness for compromise,” added Izetbegović.