Mešalić: We see the outlines of dictatorship in the FBiH Parliament, the appointment of Vukoja is approaching

(Patria) - Will the amendment of High Representative Christian Schmidt to the Constitution of FBiH come into effect tomorrow? What are the opposition's next moves? Is a new blockade likely?

Mahir Mešalić, head of the DF caucus in the House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament, answered these and other current political questions on the show Rezime on Federal Television.

The state is ruled by rogue centers of power

- There is no postponement of the deadline, this amendment will come into effect tomorrow, as announced. Unfortunately, it brings nothing good to the citizens of FBiH, it only benefits ethno-national policies that primarily benefit the HDZ regarding the future formation of government in 2026 - Mešalić believes.

He reminds that the DF caucus has on several occasions sent an initiative to the House of Representatives for constitutional changes that would strive for a civic order. However, as he stated, the Trojka and HDZ rejected it.

- It remains to be seen what awaits us in 2026, when we will implement these Schmidt-imposed provisions for the first time - said Mešalić.

He says they have stopped negative processes as much as they could as the opposition, stating that it will now all become clear how the Trojka and HDZ function together.

- And, time shows - the state is ruled by rogue centers of power, not institutions - Mešalić is of the opinion.

He adds that absolutely nothing has been done in the FBiH in the past year under the leadership of the imposed Government.

- They sent some draft laws to the parliamentary procedure that remained from the previous government. Apart from announcing electricity price increases - they tried, they failed - and handing over positions to the HDZ, they have actually done nothing - Mešalić assesses.

Regarding the changes in the Election and Appointment Committee and DF's announcement that they will leave other committees, he says:

"This will absolutely not lead to new blockades, because it makes no sense for us to be in committees when they make all the decisions. They are expelling people from committees, when they need a majority, completely unconstitutionally, which is why we have sent appeals to the Constitutional Court of FBiH, they are changing the rules of procedure to abolish democracy, they have limited the number of initiatives per session.

They are introducing what has been introduced in the RS - some kind of dictatorship, the outlines of which are visible in the Federal Parliament. We are fighting and are clear about our positions. What is most disastrous - the Trojka has replaced the member of the Committee from DF and given it to HNS.

The Trojka has delivered - Damir Mašić and Aner Žuljević voted, and everyone else, to replace the member of the Committee from the civic option with the HDZ.

A devastating message to the citizens of FBiH, all to open the way for the appointment of Marin Vukoja to the Constitutional Court. Shame on them.

Bošković was given to lead it, who leads the Parliament. The House of Peoples is led by Tomislav Martinović, also from the HDZ. HNS, as a group of parties led by HDZ, has received three members in the Election and Appointment Committee, while DF, which has 12 mandates, has not received any.

We will again send an appeal to the Constitutional Court to complain about this process as well, it is a complete erasure of the civic concept and opposition members from very important committees. They are moving things around, doing as they please, which is not in accordance with the Rules of Procedure."

I have no confidence in SDP or NiP

With this filling of the Committee, the way has been opened for a list with only one name to come before the representatives, and that is Marin Vukoja. At the same time, Naša stranka is asking for Dragan Mioković to finally be appointed as the chairman. When asked what will come first, Mešalić answers:

"Perhaps everything in a package as part of the agreement between Trojka and HDZ, perhaps they will only elect Mioković. They like to hide information from us in the opposition. What I know is that there should be a session on May 22nd where this will be decided.

We have sent an initiative to the ambassadors of the Quint and the OHR to exert additional pressure on the Trojka and HDZ parties so that we do not end up with a judge of the Constitutional Court being elected unconstitutionally. Because everything points to them electing Vukoja in an unconstitutional manner".

When asked if there is a parliamentary majority for the appointment of Vukoja, he said that he has no confidence in either SDP or NiP.

"Nikšić, as the party president, stated that they will vote for the first-ranked candidate. NiP is already clear - it works in favor of the HDZ, they don't even hide it.

There are some individuals in the Parliament who say - well, I wouldn't want to vote - that's why Mašić voted for the HDZ's proposal to change the Committee, and then ran away from it, and that's why I know that the appointment of Vukoja is approaching.

Mašić and Žuljević wanted to leave the Committee so that it wouldn't depend on their vote whether only one candidate would come - Mešalić believes.

It is mentioned in the public that NES could again become part of the ruling majority, and when asked if he sees this as an option, he explained that this party has behaved correctly in voting so far.

"If they do that, then it's their problem because they told Trojka that they are betraying positions. It's hard for me to see how they will justify that - says Mešalić.

In the end, he spoke about public services based in Sarajevo and how to solve the financing problem.

"Since he imposed laws, I would ask Schmidt why he doesn't also solve the issue of public services, which is a very important issue, and also Forto, who so easily took over that ministry.

Public services should be a pillar of accurate and precise information. Public services have a role in all European countries, and it is regrettable that the RTV subscription is collected only from one part of FBiH.

I believe that only the High Representative can resolve this through political pressure. This policy and coalition - are neither capable nor have the political will. The system needs to be done systemically.

As an opposition politician, I received space on the public service, so I have no complaints about the work of the public service. I have a complaint that no government has managed to solve systemic financing so far - Mešalić concluded in an interview with Federal Television."