Nikšić: SDA and HDZ and Their Leaders Pursue a Policy of Dividing BiH

Guest of the Pressing show on N1 was Nermin Nikšić, leader of the SDP and former Prime Minister of the FBiH Government, who pointed out that the SDA and HDZ, i.e. their leaders, are pursuing a policy that leads to the division of BiH, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Nikšić said that life is much easier now that he is not prime minister, and that working in the party is much easier than performing the function of prime minister.

- Some call it the electric chair. It is a function that requires engagement, it consumes... We live in a complicated country, and the position of prime minister sounds serious and much is expected from it - explained Nikšić, stating that BiH is a country with too many divided competencies, and therefore the prime minister cannot meet expectations.

When asked whether it is better to be in power or not, Nikšić said:

- You know how they say, 'it's not easy being a director, it's even harder not being one', but it's easier to work. It is much better when you are within the structures of power and when you can influence decisions. When it depends on you how you will position yourself, and you are expected to do some things, but your actions are limited.

Regarding the work of the current FBiH Government led by Fadil Novalić, he said he tries not to comment too much.

- I follow the work of the government out of duty, I do not comment - I just want them to do their job. I had to intervene a couple of times, because now it turns out that the SDP is to blame for everything that is happening. I use every opportunity to react and point out crises. There are affairs that have proven to be untrue. The fact is that today they simply create several questions that you have to answer, if you want what is best for this country.

The SDP leader also commented on the citizens' action #FadileOprosti, following the statement of the current prime minister that life in BiH is lavish.

- I really did not participate in that action, I can understand what the man is going through, but I am stunned by the statement. It is socially dangerous. Perhaps this would make some sense if the decisions were implemented through the government. My government reduced the compensation for separate living, or as they call it, mental anguish, to 1 KM. We promised that, and then they made a decision that each minister gets 300 KM, and an advisor 250 KM for those who are not from Sarajevo. That was never paid, and then they make such a decision. You cannot then say that 406 KM is dangerous, and then make that decision - said Nikšić.

He pointed out that it was received as if the SDP was creating a crisis.

The Labor Law was struck down by the Constitutional Court of FBiH, and Nikšić called for the dismissal of the Parliament and the leadership of the House of Peoples. He doubts that will happen, because the court's decision carries weight.

- I see this as an opportunity for the Government and the public. How ready we are for it. We had the prime minister's response to incorporate the so-called third-entity clause. The Federal Labor Inspectorate, under this adopted law, cannot control anyone except federal institutions. Here is an opportunity to correct that mistake, to take 15-20 days, to come to a quality solution - said Nikšić, adding that the SDP is ready to support reforms only if they are in line with European standards.

He believes that an intellectual preparation for the final division of BiH into three parts is underway.

- I have no doubts about that. I have been trying to prove that recently. The SDA has surrendered to the influence of the HDZ. The collusion of the SDA and HDZ is simply the implementation of a policy that goes towards the final division of the Federation of BiH, and consequently of BiH - stated Nikšić.

How will this be implemented without the people being aware?

- There are three key issues where we will see the attitude of all of us. First is the amendment of the election law, what will happen and how the SDA and HDZ will relate to Mostar. If Mostar wants to be divided into two municipalities - that will be the matrix that will be reflected. Two electoral units based on ethnic principle will elect the member of the Presidency. That is a step towards division. It doesn't have to be called a third entity, if everything is being prepared for division - says Nikšić.

- The second thing is the issue of the attitude towards Public services. Will there be three ethnic channels, and the third issue that goes unnoticed, which is very dangerous, is the issue of the Court of BiH and the Prosecutor's Office of BiH. The Appellate Chamber will be separated into a Higher Court. And if we want to be honest, we must form a Supreme Court. No one is thinking about that.

That essentially means we get three 'little republics' on a national basis, which is not a trivial matter.

He says he spent his mandate due to obstructions in the adoption of anti-corruption laws, such as the infamous Uskok in FBiH, i.e. the special department of the Prosecutor's Office of BiH within the Supreme Court that would prosecute it.

- We were imputed with wanting to break into apartments, but illegal assets can only be taken by a court decision. The start of implementation was supposed to be January 1, 2015, and today we have a situation where not even the departments have been formed - nothing has been started even though the budget has planned funds. The government adopted the law and it was adopted in Parliament. Implementation was postponed to July 1, 2017, and again there is talk about the third-entity clause.

Are current leaders ready to sell the state for their own interests?

- I think we can talk from that angle here. It is certainly safer for everyone that these institutions are not formed, because their formation includes jurisdiction over the entire territory of FBiH. Not forming them returns cantonal jurisdiction, where their influence is much greater, especially in those that are not in the focus of interest.

He believes that the SDA must behave in accordance with the fact that they won the elections.

- We have the feeling that the HDZ won. The SDA responds that they are first among Bosniaks, not first in BiH - stated Nikšić on Pressing. (av)