Nikšić and Komšić: It doesn't matter how one prays, we want to move this country forward

In the first episode of the new season of the show Pošteno on FTV, the guests were the presidents of SDP and DF, Nermin Nikšić and Željko Komšić. They commented on the new left-wing political bloc initiated by these two parties, which is expected to bring peace and economic stability to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, reports the Patria news agency.

When asked if an agreement was reached on Saturday to form a front, bloc, or alliance, Nikšić said that whatever it is called, it is important that it restores hope to the citizens. However, it is even more important that this bloc will not stop at just SDP and DF, as there are indications that some other organizations will join them. In addition, he said, the left-wing bloc will live before and after the elections. 

When asked which organizations these are, whether it is Naša stranka or other civic parties, DF president Željko Komšić said he would not comment until the cooperation becomes public.

 “As for Naša stranka, they have already said: We are here, but we will go our own way. Be that as it may, they are also on the same track as us. Whatever the outcome, it is important that we can recognize that we are close in the same story,” said Komšić. 

Commenting on how the program initiated by SDP and DF differs from other parties, including SDA, Nikšić said that the difference lies in the perception of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the perception of citizens and peoples.

“Our bloc is open to Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats, who, of course, can be proud members of their nation, but we think it is time to stop flirting with nationalism and be a little more Bosnian and Herzegovinian. We need to show a little more that we care about Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Nikšić believes.

“There is a conceptual difference. Respecting what Bosnia and Herzegovina is, we are still inclined towards another paradigm. We are all individuals... If you, as a state, protect me as an individual through your administrative apparatus, from the constitution and laws, protect my identities, because we in BiH are made up of multiple identities, then you also protect my collective rights,” Komšić believes, adding that in the left-wing bloc that is beginning to unite around common goals, they have nothing against people identifying as Bosniak, Serb, or Croat, but nevertheless, he added, every person is still just an individual. 

“What we have on the scene in BiH today is clearly not good.”

Nikšić said that the ruling nationalist parties use fear to homogenize their voters, and that this must be stopped once and for all.

“It is important that people understand that this political bloc will not seek revenge on anyone. Everyone has the right to pray as they wish, or to believe or not believe if that is their conviction,” said Nikšić.

When asked with whom they will enter into government and with whom they will not, they stated that they will not with SDA, HDZ, and SNSD.

Speaking about the election lists, they revealed that the lists will be separate in some parts of BiH, while in others they will be joint. In the Republika Srpska, the lists will, it is already clear, be joint. It has not yet been defined whether the left-wing bloc will have one or more candidates for the Presidency of BiH, nor who those candidates might be. When asked if one of the two of them would be a candidate for the Presidency of BiH, they said that the chances are equally divided.

Both Nikšić and Komšić believe that too much is being discussed in BiH about issues that only divide citizens, and that a policy should be offered that will tackle the problems that directly burden citizens, such as education, healthcare, and the economy.

Watch the full show by clicking HERE.