Independent Bosnian-Herzegovinian List: An answer to BiH's political deadlock, Hadžibajrić elected president

The Founding Assembly of the Independent Bosnian-Herzegovinian List, uniting independent mayors and councilors from BiH, was held in Sarajevo today. The Founding Assembly was attended by 84 delegates who elected the president, vice-presidents, and the Presidency of the NBL. The Statute of the NBL was also adopted. Ibrahim Hadžibajrić was unanimously elected president, reports Patria News Agency. Five vice-presidents were also elected, who, along with nine other members, form the Presidency of the NBL.

The vice-presidents are the mayors of Bosanski Petrovac and Kalesija, Zlatko Hujić and Sead Džafić, emergency medicine specialist Vehida Fazlić from Srebrenik, businessman Jusuf Arifagić, while one position is currently vacant.

Other members of the Presidency include well-known sports journalist Sinan Sinanović from Sarajevo, Arifana Pašalić from Srebrenica, Šefik Bukalo from Goražde, Emir Salihović from Sarajevo, Dragica Marić from Sarajevo, Osman Mušić from Srebrenik, doctor Brane Despot from Bosanski Petrovac, Mensur Jašarspahić from Kakanj, and Adnan Grebović from Mostar.
 

What was emphasized during today's assembly is that the NBL will offer an alternative to the existing political deadlock and those who caused it. The idea of articulating a common political vision emerged precisely because of the 110,000 votes won by independent mayors in the last elections. Today, the NBL Charter, containing the basic ideas of this new political initiative, which was also adopted by the Assembly, was distributed to delegates and guests.

Ibrahim Hadžibajrić stated in his address that the NLB will offer something new and expressed hope that citizens will recognize it by next year's elections.

- We will come out with our precise, clear program. This is the Charter that has been prepared, and it is a document that other political parties should read word for word; there is much to see and read.

Hadžibajrić emphasized that this is not a political party but a political initiative that will oppose those who have been in power for 20 years.

- By April, when lists need to be submitted to the Central Election Commission, we will see how things have been received on the ground. If the people haven't recognized it, there's no problem; we will vote as we have so far, but then no one has the right to criticize anymore and for us to spend our energy on those who will be in power - said Hadžibajrić.

The Founding Assembly was also attended by numerous guests from Srebrenica, Srebrenik, Kalesija, Bosanski Petrovac, Sarajevo, Zenica, Goražde, and other cities and municipalities, as well as representatives from SDP BiH, DF, SBiH, GS.

Zlatko Hujić, mayor of Bosanski Petrovac municipality, stated that the strength of the NBL lies in the people who have shown them trust in the past elections.

- We are the expression of the people's will; if we didn't believe we would be successful, we wouldn't be doing this. I believe we will be successful, and it is an honor for me to be here today. I must work for my people, and our independence has simply merged into a common project - said Hujić.

Anto Marković from Srebrenik stated that he expects this initiative to win with a new idea.

- This is not a political party but a coalition of like-minded individuals, independent mayors and councilors, and all free-thinking people in BiH. We are different from others; we don't need positions; we are not pushing ourselves forward; we are finding ourselves in the same idea.

The NBL also includes figures from the political and public life of BiH such as Jusuf Pušina, Dr. Mehmed Kulić, former mayor of Kakanj Mensur Jašarspahić, businessman Jusuf Arifagić, Muhamed Ramović, mayor of Goražde, Sead Džafić, mayor of Kalesija municipality, and many others.