Who will replace the dismissed Radmanović and Nešić, is the opposition from RS collateral damage in the quarrel between the 'Trojka' and SNSD?

By Amra Vrabac

The position of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly House of Representatives Collegium member from the Serb people has been vacant since January 23. The dismissal of Nebojša Radmanović was voted for by the representatives of the 'Trojka' (SDP, NIP, NS), SDA, DF, and NES, as well as the opposition from RS.

However, the only official proposal submitted for parliamentary procedure to fill this position was made by SNSD representatives Sanja Vulić, Obren Petrović, Ljubica Miljanović, Milorad Kojić, and Miroslav Vujičić, proposing Branislav Borenović (PDP) to be appointed as the second deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.

An urgent session has been scheduled for February 5, starting at 2 PM, following the conclusion of the 1st special joint session of both houses of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly on the topic: "DEPUTIES/DELEGATES ASK - BiH COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ANSWERS".

Borenović stated in his addresses that he does not want any support from SNSD and rejected their proposal. However, formally, this proposal is the only one in the official procedure.

While the opposition from RS has hoped for the second time that the 'Trojka' would help them and bring them into state government, after it became clear that HDZ and Dragan Čović are not inclined towards such a move, the 'Trojka's' course has also changed. A joint meeting between the 'Trojka' and the opposition from RS has not yet taken place, and they are now aware that they have been given a false promise.

The 'Trojka' parties (SDP 5, NIP 3, NS 2) have ten representatives. They will be joined by two NES representatives, Šemsudin Mehmedović and Aida Baručija, but with the five votes from the RS opposition, this is not a sufficient majority as they have 19 votes. A majority requires 22 votes. HDZ will not participate in this, and the 'Trojka' has started to call upon SDA and DF to be part of the majority. However, SDA and DF have presented a clear stance. They will vote for all dismissals, but not for appointments, nor are they interested in entering the government.

On the other hand, the position in the BiH Council of Ministers is also vacant due to the dismissal of the BiH Minister of Security, Nenad Nešić. Nešić belonged to the quota of ministers gathered around SNSD, and the position has now been taken over by his deputy, Ivica Bošnjak (HDZ BiH). In the current balance of power, HDZ is the most numerous in the BiH Council of Ministers (Chairwoman Borjana Krišto, Minister of Justice Davor Bunoza, Minister of Civil Affairs Dubravka Bošnjak, and Deputy Minister of Security Ivica Bošnjak). Bosniaks have three ministers (Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Defence Zukan Helez, Minister for Human Rights and Refugees Sevlid Hurtić). Serbs now hold the positions of Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Staša Košarac and Minister of Finance and Treasury Srđan Amidžić.

Delegate in the BiH House of Peoples, Radovan Kovačević, announced that he will propose to the President of RS, Milorad Dodik, to nominate Nebojša Vukanović, leader of the Justice and Order party and current member of the National Assembly of RS, for the position of BiH Minister of Security. However, it is evident that this will not happen, and the formal proposal to the BiH House of Representatives for confirmation is submitted by the Chairwoman of the BiH Council of Ministers.

It is certain that the position of Minister of Security will remain vacant for some time, even though the balance of personnel from the Serb people has been disrupted, which is also a violation of the BiH Constitution.

Incidentally, the selection of the Deputy Director of SIPA is underway, conducted by the Independent Board, and the ranking list is sent to the Minister of Security, who has the discretionary right to propose one name to the BiH Council of Ministers. It should not be forgotten that the appointment of the Director of SIPA has been pending since September last year. Nešić had then proposed Slobodan Radinković, but since it was clear that he would not receive support from the 'Trojka' ministers or HDZ, the appointment was halted.

However, it is very possible that Bošnjak will continue to lead the Ministry of Security until the selection of the Deputy Director of SIPA is completed, and then propose the Director and Deputy Director appointments as a package to the BiH Council of Ministers.

The situation in the state coalition should become clearer during February, and by all accounts, the 'Trojka' will withdraw before the Čović-Dodik alliance. The collateral damage is only Radmanović and the opposition from RS, whom the 'Trojka' has deceived for the second time.