Izetbegović: Foreigners did not ask for support for the Election Law, SDA is not in favor of OHR's departure, we will see what Dodik has negotiated

(Patria) - SDA President Bakir Izetbegović said that at this moment there is a 51% chance he will be a candidate for the BiH Presidency in the next General Elections, but that this changes every day.

During a conversation with Zvonko Komšić on the show "Jutro za sve", Izetbegović also spoke about visits by ambassadors and officials coming to SDA headquarters. When asked whether support from SDA for the BiH Election Law had been requested, he said that there was no talk of that nor did anyone mention it.

Speaking about current developments with Milorad Dodik, Izetbegović said that he will only see "what has been negotiated," but that he believes Dodik cannot remain president of SNSD.

He stated that he will strongly oppose the abolition or relocation of the OHR.

"We must have a mechanism to unlock processes; you must have compensatory mechanisms, and that is the OHR," he said.

When asked why SDA did not react to the "Spengavanje" affair, Izetbegović said they let others speak out, and that his opinion is that it is a classic case of the prime minister's influence on the director of FUP.

"How will FUP investigate anyone in the FBiH Government if the prime minister has such a relationship with the director of FUP?" said Izetbegović.

Izetbegović confirmed that he discussed the extension of the EUFOR mission with the Russian ambassador and that he believes Russia will not "undermine" EUFOR's position.

"We left Russia to Dodik to make an enemy of us. We must talk to everyone," said the SDA president.

Regarding relations with HDZ president Dragan Čović, Izetbegović said that if there is interest in improving relations, he is there.

When asked what he thinks of Denis Bećirović, Izetbegović said he is an "empty politician who will only do what is in his interest."

"He never spoke until a camera was turned on. Those initiatives were music to the ears of naive patriots. He proposed impossible things. He wrote letters that no one answered. He proposed a budget that is wonderful, but we have no budget and no hands. It sweetens but does not nourish," Izetbegović described.

Regarding the appointment of the chief negotiator with the EU, SDA's position is that the proposal should go through Parliament to the BiH Presidency.

On possible post-election coalitions after the General Elections, Izetbegović does not hide his desire for them to be SDA, DF, and the Party for BiH, but he must also feel the stance of others.

"I expect Komšić not to say that SDA has nothing from the four-party coalition, to keep us in uncertainty; the strongest party must have partners. If they don't want to, anyone else is welcome. SDP cannot lead processes. It tried in 2000, 2010, and now, they are not managing. If there is strength anywhere, it is in SDA. SDA must lead processes," said Izetbegović.