Lendo: We will never agree to the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina between Serb and Croat hegemonism

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The new convocation of the FBiH Government, elected based on the imposed decision of the High Representative, took office on Wednesday.

By temporarily suspending the Constitution of the Federation of BiH, Bosniaks were denied constitutionality, constitutional rights of elected representatives in the leadership of the Federation of BiH and the Bosniak Club were taken away, and the electoral will of the Bosniak people was grossly violated, announced the Vice President of the FBiH Refik Lendo (SDA).

He says that facts refute those who claim otherwise - more than two-thirds of delegates in the Bosniak Club, 17 out of 23, are against the election of such a Government.

"In the House of Representatives, 23 Bosniaks voted for the confirmation of the Government, and 40 are against. Behind the 23 Bosniak representatives who support the imposed Government are 94,467 votes, while behind the Bosniak representatives who are against such a convocation of the Government is an electoral legitimacy of as many as 227,957 votes won.

Several SDA candidates, such as the former Vice President of the FBiH Melika Mahmutbegović, have more votes than eight or nine representatives who support the Government together," says Lendo.

He emphasizes that withholding consent to such a convocation of the Government, which clearly does not have the support of even a third of Bosniak voters, was not only his right but also his obligation.

"Bosniaks justifiably feel disenfranchised, betrayed, and humiliated. Only the willingness of some Bosniak and pro-Bosnian parties to be accomplices in the complete degradation of Bosniaks as a political people in exchange for a few ministerial and director positions hurts more than the High Representative's decision. That is a burden they will have to carry for the rest of their lives.

Bosnian politics is realized in building a civic, secular society in which the rule of law is in effect. The citizen is the greatest value of the state and the holder of sovereignty.

We will never agree to the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina between Serb and Croat hegemonism. The state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the greatest value and the meaning of all our political actions.

Although my constitutional rights as Vice President of the FBiH from the Bosniak people have been denied in the process of forming the government, let them be sure that I will use all authorities and mechanisms to protect and defend the Bosniak people, as well as all other peoples and citizens from any harmful moves of the new imposed government," concluded Lendo.