WHO CALLED WHOM? Party caucuses in the BiH PA did not receive an invitation from the 'trojka' for talks on amending the BiH Constitution

By: Amra Vrabac

Heads of the DF and SDA caucuses in the House of Representatives of the BiH PA, Milan Dunović and Šerif Špago, confirmed the information that they did not receive an official invitation for a meeting on amending the BiH Constitution, for which the 'trojka' allegedly sent out invitations on Monday.

This was stated today at a press conference by the president of NIP, Elmedin Konaković, announcing a meeting for Monday, January 29, with all parliamentary parties in the BiH PA, where amendments to the BiH Constitution and the implementation of rulings from Strasbourg would be discussed.

DF Caucus Head Milan Dunović told Patria that no invitation had arrived at the DF Caucus and that such meetings cannot be called via press conference, calling it unserious.

SDA MP Safet Kešo stated for Patria that no invitation had arrived at the SDA Caucus either, and that he had only seen the announcement of some meeting through the media. He said there was still time until Monday and it was possible they would receive an official invitation.

SDP BiH Caucus Head Saša Magazinović, who is in Strasbourg, told Patria that he had heard about the meeting but did not know the details, nor whether an official invitation had been sent, which again raises the question of who sent the invitation to the parliamentary parties.

Konaković did not reveal too many details, but today expressed readiness to amend the BiH Constitution in order to implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

On the other hand, coalition partner HDZ BiH and the party's leader Dragan Čović openly stated that the plan was to amend the Election Law, but not the BiH Constitution, because the environment is such that it is difficult to seek a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives of the BiH PA. However, Konaković stated today, at the insistence of journalists, that he sees a possibility for amending the BiH Constitution.

The US Embassy has very clearly specified that the rulings can only be implemented through amendments to the BiH Constitution, and not through changes to the Election Law. They also issued serious criticism to the coalition for the planned amendments to the Election Law, in which they do not see readiness for substantive changes in the segment of ensuring electoral integrity and fair elections.