Continuation of the Assembly Session: Majority Secured for the Decision on Temporary Financing?

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The session of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, which was interrupted on January 8 due to a lack of quorum because representatives of the new majority of SDA, SBB, and DF were not present, will continue tomorrow, as announced by the Sarajevo Canton Assembly. At that time, 15 representatives from the People and Justice party, NS, NBL, SDP BiH, Damir Nikšić, and Damir Marjanović (arriving late) were present. 

The agenda includes the Proposal for a Decision on Temporary Financing of the Needs of the Sarajevo Canton for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2020, the Proposal for a Decision on Giving Consent to the Decision on Temporary Financing of the Institute for Health Insurance of the Sarajevo Canton for the period from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020, and the Proposal for a Decision on Giving Consent to the Decision on Temporary Financing of the Needs of the Public Institution “Employment Service of the Sarajevo Canton” Sarajevo for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2020.

Over the last two days, consultations have been ongoing between the parties that have representatives in the Sarajevo Canton Assembly to find a solution for holding the session to adopt the decision on temporary financing of the Canton, so that the Canton does not enter a financial blockade, which would jeopardize January salaries, social benefits, and other compensations for citizens of the Canton. The consultations were conducted by Damir Nikšić and Damir Marjanović, calling on both assembly majorities to find a solution.

There is still no official confirmation that an agreement has been reached that the representatives of the new majority led by the SDA will attend this session, but it is indicative that the invitation has been sent and that the session will be held only half an hour before the 18th working session. At that 18th working session, representatives should set the date for the session at which a vote of no confidence in the Canton Government will be held, according to the request of 18 representatives of the new majority in the Sarajevo Canton Assembly. Also on the agenda is the Proposal for a Decision on Amending the Decision on Confirming Candidates for the Election of the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of the Assembly of the Sarajevo Canton, specifically Mirza Čelik to the leadership of the Canton Assembly instead of Elmedin Konaković. 

The Decision on the Election of Danijela Kristić as Chairperson of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly was published in the Official Gazette, while the Decision on the Election of Mirza Čelik as Chairperson of the Assembly at the session held by the new majority on December 28 has not been published. The new majority claims that Čelik is already the chairperson and demands the seal that Konaković removed, as he said, from "illegal use." If the seal is not returned by tomorrow's session, the new majority has announced that they will not attend the scheduled session.