Kovačević: I never hid that I am Croatian, I am not afraid of HDZ, I believe in victory

(Patria) - Slaven Kovačević will be the candidate of the Democratic Front for a member of the BiH Presidency from the Croatian people in the upcoming General Elections in October 2026.

Kovačević thanked the DF Presidency, which verified this decision today.

In a conversation with Avdo Avdić on the show Istraga sedmice, he said that he is Croatian.

"I was, I am, and I will remain. I am Croatian and I have never changed that. Is that a problem for someone?", said Kovačević, who emphasized that he did not hide his identity during the court proceedings in Strasbourg.

"I did not consciously use it in the Strasbourg application because it is irrelevant information for that court proceeding".

When asked if he was afraid of HDZ, Kovačević said that he was not.

"I do not divide the citizens of this country on any basis. We can have different visions, but I wish no harm to anyone. There is no reason for me to fear them, nor them me", he added.

He confirmed that he also has Croatian citizenship and that the Republic of Croatia itself confirmed this during the court proceedings in Strasbourg.

Kovačević is convinced of his victory, but he did not want to talk too much about the elections themselves so as not to enter into an early election campaign, even though the elections have not yet been called.

When asked what motivated him to run, Kovačević said that he wants to be a continuation of the continuity of some good people who were in the BiH Presidency.

"Prof. Pejanović, Lazović, Tatjana Ljujić Mjatović, Ivo Komšić sat there, and they were all connected to the idea of a civic BiH. Željko Komšić came after them, and I want to be an expression of that continuity. Civic BiH is only a matter for the citizens of BiH. The international community will demand a reform of the Constitution from us according to EU standards. This Constitution will have to undergo such a rigid change that BiH will be civic", said Kovačević.

Although the role of the BiH Presidency is minimized, Kovačević said that the BiH Presidency has its role in proposing the Budget, appointing the leadership of the Central Bank of BiH, appointing a judge of the European Court of Human Rights, and is the supreme commander of the BiH Armed Forces.

When asked if he expects support from other parties, he invited all political parties that are based on the idea of a civic BiH to join.

He rejected all insinuations that he had threatened the High Representative Christian Schmidt.

"Unrest in the south" was spread by HDZ, and it was accepted by Schmidt", said Kovačević.

He added that people have felt locked in for 30 years due to the ethnic structure.

"At some point, it will implode", Kovačević is convinced.

Speaking about the amendments to the Election Law of BiH, which introduce new election technologies, he pointed out that this will also be a test for political parties to see who is for honest parties and who is for rigging.

He also commented on the entry of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković into BiH through a non-existent border crossing, and explained that according to the Law on Border Control of BiH, he would have needed more permits from the competent institutions, and that it is questionable whether it was possible to obtain them within 24 hours.

He very clearly specified that the Republic of Croatia and HDZ will support all secessionist ideas.

"They are doing the same as Dodik, only with gloves. One of the tools is to encourage Republika Srpska so that they do something, and then Dodik responds with a third entity", said Kovačević, adding that it was precisely Plenković who announced the continuity of the 90s policy towards BiH at a rally in Zagreb.