Izetbegović: SNSD continues to block the legislative authority

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – The session of the joint Collegium of both houses of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly was not held because the agenda was not accepted by SNSD representatives Nikola Špirić and Nikola Radmanović, said Bakir Izetbegović, Chairman of the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly.

„Their reason is old; they believe that until a new Council of Ministers of BiH is formed, the legislative body cannot work either. They have now stopped the formation of commissions within both houses and in this way the work of the Collegium is also being halted. We have had situations before when the Council of Ministers and entity governments were not formed, and these states have lasted for over a year, but it has never happened that the work of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly was stopped,” said Izetbegović. 

He pointed out that the BiH Parliamentary Assembly costs BiH citizens around 63,000 KM each working day, and that the high salaries they receive are also a direct damage.

"The damage caused by the lack of work is even greater for the country's reputation, and specifically for the interest of hundreds of laws, decisions, agreements, and financial agreements that are waiting for the formation of commissions. We have this knot tied to the submission of the first Annual National Plan within the MAP. I believe a solution can be found here, because submitting national plans does not mean BiH's membership in NATO, and we are ready and have taken such a stance. We expect from the SNSD, that is, from their leader, that he also makes an effort with us and finally finds a solution.“

Asked whether it is possible to call early elections, Izetbegović said that if that possibility existed, early elections would be held every six months. He said that the OHR should also react and make some decisions in a situation where someone is not doing their job. 
"When it comes to the Constitution and the rule of law, no compromise can be made. We expect that the mandate-holder for the composition of the new Council of Ministers of BiH, who will come from the SNSD, clearly confirms this. All decisions and laws adopted by the BiH Parliament and the BiH Presidency must be respected,” said Izetbegović. 

Asked about the appointment of members of the delegation for the Council of Europe, Izetbegović said that there is still a possibility to do so by June 24 if the issue of sending the Annual National Program is resolved.