Candidate for RS President: Dodik faces upcoming elections weakened

Ramiz Salkić, candidate of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) for the President of Republika Srpska in the October elections, stated in an interview with the BiH news agency Patria (NAP) that he expects Bosniaks to show stronger capacity and higher turnout in the upcoming elections, partly due to the joint efforts of several political parties (Bosniak parties) working together. More Bosniak votes in RS also mean a better position for Bosniak leaders, and thus easier realization of Bosniak rights in the territory of RS.

- We should not aspire to win the presidency due to the numerical superiority of Serbs, but there is no reason why we should not regain the position of vice-president – Salkić told Patria.

In the last few years, Salkić says, there has been stagnation regarding the return and lives of Bosniaks in RS, primarily due to the anti-Bosniak and anti-Bosnian policies pursued by Milorad Dodik in the RS region. He adds that some local media contribute significantly to this by most often portraying Bosniaks as having no place in RS.

However, if all Bosniaks born in or originating from this entity were to obtain personal identification documents in RS and vote, Bosniaks who have returned to their homes in the smaller BiH entity would have a far better position than they currently do.

- The pressure exerted by Dodik and some media psychologically affects our people – says Salkić. However, he adds, Bosniaks will continue to return to their homes and fight for a better position in RS, regardless of all pressures, starting from employment opportunities to the introduction of the Bosnian language in schools.

- Dodik and the political parties gathered around SNSD are entering these elections shaken. The "Bloc for Changes," which brings together several political parties from RS, is a strong competitor for them. This will certainly disrupt the current relationships in the National Assembly of RS, and it remains to be seen how things will unfold regarding the position of the President of RS. We hope that in all of this, we will also strengthen the position of Bosniaks – says Salkić, writes Patria.