Who will (not) form a government with whom: Attacks and accusations in the campaign, but also outstretched hands

Written by: Amra Vrabac 

The leaders of pro-Bosnian political parties have not yet stated firm positions on with whom they will not form a government. Although there are sparks and even harsh words, accusations, and attacks in the campaign, after the elections all of that is forgotten and agreements for government are made. Precisely because of the large number of parties that could achieve a result, it is expected that broader coalitions will have to be formed. However, the question is who will form a government with whom, or who will not.

The President of SDA, Bakir Izetbegović, states at his rallies that the hand of SDA is extended to all who claim to love this country.

"The struggle for power must not be more important than the people and the state. After the elections, we will invite all who claim to love this country to stand with us in a united front that will determine key priorities and red lines. We will do that when, God willing, we defeat them. Our hand is extended to those who left us, to leftists, and to Serbian and Croatian parties, to build a state that our people deserve," said Izetbegović.

The President of the Democratic Front, Željko Komšić, also called on all pro-Bosnian parties to take a unified stance on key issues for the survival of BiH and its secure future. He did not comment on possible coalitions, but clearly stated that there is no room for calculation with the interests of BiH. 

From the largest opposition party in BiH, SDP BiH, they state that after these elections they will certainly no longer be in opposition. The President of that party, Nermin Nikšić, stated that "everyone wants to work with the SDP, but we do not want to work with everyone."

"We will never be in opposition to the state and the citizens. In the Parliaments, we were the most constructive when it was needed," he said.

The President of the Party for BiH, Semir Efendić, when asked about a possible coalition with SDA after the elections, neither wanted to confirm nor reject such an idea. He stated that much will depend on the election results of the parties.

From the People and Justice party, there are mixed messages about the possibility of a coalition and cooperation with SDA after the elections. Thus, the President of NIP, Elmedin Konaković, said that "the SDA as it is today is unacceptable."

"There will be no coalition with the Izetbegović couple. The SDA as it is today is unacceptable, although it was once an influential factor and has its merits. They have taken over the judiciary and the media and have no real picture of life. They have drifted away from the citizens," Konaković said on N1's Dan uživo on September 5.

The first deputy president of NIP and one of the ideological creators of that party, Kemal Ademović, stated his position on SDA on August 9 for the official NIP website.

"I did not participate in building the People and Justice project to return to SDA. I am not returning to SDA. I do not hate that party; there are fine people there. If and when SDA reforms, I do not rule out that there could be an opportunity for cooperation in the future. Currently, I do not see that reform, I do not see any change in the behavior of those who represent it," said Ademović.

New post-election coalitions will depend primarily on the election result but also on the willingness to "swallow frogs" for the sake of the state's interests. Because it is easier to correct someone when you are in power with them than when you do so from the opposition. What is certain is that a hot autumn awaits on the political scene of BiH.