'We will not be imbeciles': Delegates raised their voices against the political games of HDZ and SNSD in the House of Peoples, the Bosniak Caucus took a break

(Patria) - The session of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina began in Sarajevo with two items on the agenda. The emergency session was scheduled to consider the request of delegate Marina Pendeš (HDZ BiH) for the urgent consideration of the Proposal for Amendments to the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as amendments to the law on salaries.

At the very beginning, Dženan Đonlagić requested the floor, addressing the presiding officer Nikola Špirić with the words 'unesteemed presiding officer.'

“You are leading us into disorder. You did not continue the interrupted 11th emergency session, and you are starting the 12th. You left it to save your seats. We are obliged to continue the 11th emergency session. Return us to the procedural tracks. We must finish the previous one before we can discuss today's,” said Đonlagić.

Zlatko Miletić explained that after a break, following which it is again determined that there is no quorum, the debate continues at the next session.

“I ask you as a colleague to stop implementing lawlessness when it comes to the House of Peoples. We have the Rules of Procedure. This arrogance leads nowhere. You will bring us to a situation where people apply certain measures,” Miletić emphasized.

Džemal Smajić also called for an end to the abuse of the Rules of Procedure by Dragan Čović and Nikola Špirić.

“Čović violated the Rules of Procedure by not scheduling an emergency session for five months. I call on you to start respecting the Rules of Procedure and begin doing something useful for the state and citizens,” Smajić emphasized, adding that those who want to work must not be collateral victims of coalition games.

“We cannot allow the violation of the Rules of Procedure to become practice,” Smajić added.

In his address, Dragan Čović emphasized that from yesterday's announcements they heard that this scenario would occur.

“I understand that each of us can interpret the Constitution of BiH, everyone has the right to interpret the Rules of Procedure, but it is not relevant. I am convinced that you want to curry favor with people day after day. But we have a responsibility in accordance with the act. Whatever I think about today's agenda and that of the 11th session, the Rules of Procedure do not prohibit it, nor does the practice of having 10 sessions. I understand the Bosniak Caucus, but I think it is not good. Those announcements you are sending us that you will block are not good, they are not good for BiH. I think that from the heart. I will continue to behave in the name of the people and the political party. I see no reason to violate the Rules of Procedure,” said Čović.

He added that they should return to the work of the 12th emergency session.

Kemal Ademović, who took the floor even before the anthem was played, said he would not interpret anything but would read the transcript from the 11th emergency session.

“Only that part just before the interruption. Nović: I requested a break to consult on the continuation of the session. Our position is that we will not attend the continuation. Špirić: I propose that Ademović continue presiding over the session. I gave a break to see if there would be a quorum, I noted that the Serb Caucus was absent and that we would inform about the continuation. I only said before the anthem that it was about continuing with the remaining two items. That is in the Rules of Procedure,” Ademović emphasized.

Šefik Džaferović said that he also requested the floor before the anthem was played.

"I have no intention of out-shouting Špirić and Čović. It is futile. You have decided to go down one path, and out-shouting you is a waste of time. Ask the House how the Rules of Procedure are interpreted, because you know there is a majority to oppose you. You unilaterally determined the agenda for Špirić. We agreed to that because of BiH's EU path. But you have gone too far. You are making us into people who must be ready for illegal actions. You are trying to make us people without honor and dignity. We will no longer allow you to violate the Rules of Procedure. You did not respect the Rules of Procedure to complete the agenda items that remained from last time. This is about abolishing, first the attempt to remove you, when HDZ and you several times denied a quorum. Now you want us to do that. You are fishing in troubled waters, and that is typical of you, Čović," said Džaferović, adding that they will not allow themselves to be made into imbeciles.

"We are not naive, and that is why I request a break, and before that I ask you, Mr. Presiding Officer, are you ready to continue the unfinished session, which concerns your removal and that of the ministers and SNSD. If you are ready, continue; if not, give me a 15-minute break," said Džaferović.

The session continued, as did the debate. Then a break was again declared until 2:00 PM.