Nikšić: SDP begins preparations for the 2020 Local Elections campaign today

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina today held a consultation with its elected representatives from municipal to state level, which in a way marks the beginning of SDP's preparations for the 2020 Local Elections campaign. 

“Practically, today we will have the opportunity to see a presentation of the party leadership's documents, which will be presented at the next session of the Main Board, and we want to acquaint those who received support from BiH citizens in the last elections with them, and enable them to share their experiences and give suggestions and proposals that they believe should be incorporated into these documents before the Main Board session,” said SDP leader Nermin Nikšić to journalists in Sarajevo.

Nikšić also stated that elections within the SDP should be completed during this month and by the end of next month. 

“SDP wants to work on concrete programs and solutions to offer to the citizens of BiH. Unfortunately, we are all aware of the situation we are in. I think we will mark the anniversary of the General Elections without having governments at the state and federal level,” Nikšić said. 

He added that the SDP, together with those parties that are willing, will try to exert pressure to move towards amending the Election Law, which would enable fair and free elections by introducing electronic voting, video surveillance, and the institution of early elections. 

“In no normal country can it be allowed that we have no government for so long after elections,” Nikšić said, noting that SDP representatives will visit as many places in BiH as possible to get citizens' opinions. 

Commenting on the formation of a new party by former SDP members in Tuzla, Nikšić says that the SDP will not deal with them, but will not allow them to attack the SDP either, nor will it allow the SDP to be blamed for the bad situation. 

“SDP has always advocated and will continue to advocate, as stated in the Constitution, that freedoms should not be restricted in any way. What BiH is trying to be turned into and attacks on foreign officials are unacceptable,” Nikšić commented on the first BiH Pride Parade. 

Regarding the meeting with SBB leader Fahrudin Radončić, Nikšić says: “The meeting with Radončić should be viewed in the context of amending the Election Law, and I must say I am glad that Radončić agreed with that, even though he is also part of the parliamentary majority.”