Nikšić: Imposed if not, but if you decide, I will stay...

(Patria) - A group of SDP members sent an open letter to SDP President Nermin Nikšić after his appearance on Saturday on FACE TV, where he spoke about processes within the SDP and the possibility of remaining in the position of president. We publish the letter in full:

"Of course, there are people to whom you owe something in life, who are your associates, who work with you through thick and thin, and who still talk about this topic today, and I give everyone the same answer: I really don't want to participate in that. If you think, there is that critical mass, sit down, talk, and then we'll see. But I don't want that. I will not participate in that, to prepare it, lobby, talk to anyone about it, and so on. And of course, according to the Statute, I cannot be. Elections need to be held. Now, what the Congress will decide, we will see."

This is what Nermin Nikšić said on Saturday evening during his appearance on one of the local televisions, in response to a journalist's question about whether he would run again for president of the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He said it and remained alive, as our people say when someone makes a huge blunder. If even those slightly informed about the events within the SDP did not know how and on what basis Nermin Nikšić currently holds the position of president of one of the largest parties in BiH, while you read this text, one might believe him. This way, even just listening to the named person caused a degree of disgust and revulsion among true SDP members, of whom there are 95%.

A poor, pathetic, and worn-out story, outgoing president.

But let's proceed in order to refute the untruths and lies. First, President Nikšić, you already violated the party Statute two years ago, when a new president should have been elected, and you decided (pardon, the Congress with questionable participants) to remain at the head of the party for another two years. Birds on a branch know that even then, such a decision did not represent the will of the majority of SDP members. Even then, "your associates who go through thick and thin with you," and of course with your verbal approval, came out with the claim that it was not the time to organize internal party elections because the political situation in the country was supposedly difficult and only they, led by you, could and were able to absorb and keep it under control.

The same story, as we see, you have decided to spin now. Difficult situation in the country, the troika government, the SDP as the engine of the ruling coalition, foreign pressures, substantive reforms in the Federation have begun, and similar demagoguery you uttered that evening obviously aim to prepare the ground for your stay, extension, and compliance with the requests of "those who go through thick and thin with you" (we no longer know what to call it) at the head of the party.

You also mentioned, Mr. President, that critical mass. Yes, it really exists. However, in the SDP, there are two critical masses (not three or four), one much larger and the other much smaller. The larger one consists of those SDP members who demand and insist that the statutory provisions be respected, and that elections for the party president be scheduled, and the other, much smaller one, composed of "your associates who go through thick and thin with you," which evidently wants to keep you at the head of the SDP for another two years. They are aware that with your departure, most of them, with due respect to exceptions, will themselves leave the political scene. They are not protecting you for the sake of the SDP, social democracy, and your character and deeds, but for themselves and their positions and benefits they derive from the positions they hold. How much they are truly social democrats, how well they currently perform their functions, and whether they are even up to them, is less important. In this case, it is important to put on a show for the members and the public, with the aim of gaining another two years of mandate. An Oscar for acting is definitely smiling at you, but when it comes to selecting competent personnel, you are a zero and a big miss in that field.

Furthermore, you claim that you will not participate in that. But you are already participating, and consciously and deliberately at that. The very way you justify and explain your answer to this question indicates that. It is obvious that you would not mind staying to torment social democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina for another two years, but you know well how much dissatisfaction has accumulated in the SDP due to the way you lead the party (you have destroyed the organs within the party), that you have to perform this performance if you want the goal to be achieved. In addition, the results of the recently held local elections are by no means in your favor. That story of yours, "local elections are one thing, and general elections are completely another," is a hollow story for the uninformed.
You know well, as do "your associates who go through thick and thin with you," that if the current personnel structure within the SDP remains as it is, the SDP will be swept off the political scene in 2026.

But what do you care?! It doesn't matter if the SDP wins even 50,000 votes in the next elections, because even with that many votes, a place or two in the parliamentary benches will be found for you and "those who go through thick and thin with you." It can already be known what the lists will look like in two years. If we are lucky, the SDP will be a cling-on to power for someone, or maybe we will form a coalition with the SDA party? Or even better, maybe the international community will again construct some foursome, fivesome, and include the SDP, to avoid the SDA you hate? Sad and pitiful how you think.

Not to sin against our soul, you also told two truths, namely that you cannot be president according to the Statute anymore, and that elections need to be held. But then you misled the public again, we quote: "...what the Congress will decide, we will see."

The Congress, Mr. President, has nothing to decide about that! According to the Statute, internal party elections come first, and then the party Congress is scheduled. The SDP Statute is precise and clear in that part. That is how you came to the head of the party, when in May 2015, all full members of the SDP first elected presidents of municipal, city, cantonal, and regional organizations, and in September of the same year, elections for the president of the SDP were held, and among five registered candidates, you won. In case you forgot, let us remind you of this fact. The Statute is not a Swedish buffet for you to take from as you please and whenever you want.

You have already destroyed the SDP enough. For five years, we have not had a president of the Main Board. We have no Statutory Committee, no Supervisory Committee, no Personnel Commission. As president, you are responsible for ensuring that all these bodies are constituted and work at full capacity. And you are spreading a story in public that you respect the Statute!? A strange kind of respect for the Statute.

And then "those who go through thick and thin with you," like Vojin Mijatović, Nerin Dizdar, and the like, start telling various stories, of course in your name, about how due to the seriousness of the situation and the moment we are in, you must remain at the head of the party. Without you, Bosnia and Herzegovina is in trouble. Vojin says that if you are not president, he will leave the party!? Go, Vojine, and please, take Neka with you and those others "who go through thick and thin with him."

Nermine Nikšiću, there comes a moment when one must know how to "stop the ball" and remain a human being in certain life situations. Have at least a little leadership dignity and leave the head of the party as a true social democrat. Respect the statutory provisions and realize that the end has come. Make way for new forces, because you are no longer able to bring victory to the SDP even in your native Konjic.