Nina Bukejlović: The end has come for the bad habit called Milorad Dodik

By Nina Bukejlović

Since the multi-party system in Republika Srpska, we have not seen so many threats and nervousness, so many insults and attacks as the outgoing authorities are showing and directing these days.

Admittedly, the local people are used to the president of the ruling party and his sycophants behaving arrogantly, rudely, and tarnishing the image of Republika Srpska at every step.

The people are also used to them spending state money as if it were their own, traveling to party rallies in helicopters bought with public funds and carrying singers in them.

The people are also used to the president of the largest party clashing with journalists who "ask too many questions," forbidding them to ask questions, cursing, publicly threatening them, and putting targets on their backs.

That his godfathers are proven state plunderers, and his closest associates are on blacklists.

The people are used to all of that.

But there is something that the citizens of Republika Srpska have not experienced until now. Something new. Milorad Dodik has started issuing open threats to his people.

Namely, at an SNSD pre-election rally held in mid-September in the Banja Luka settlement of Paprikovac, Dodik stated the following:

- At the end of next week, pensioners with the lowest pensions will receive 100 marks each, those with medium pensions 50 marks, and those with the highest pensions 30 marks in one-time aid. So they can prepare for winter and come to the polls and vote for us.

As if that in itself were not shameful enough, Dodik repeated the scandalous statement a few days later, adding "if you happen not to vote, we will return the money," which caused laughter among the attendees.

At a pre-election rally in Gacko, the SNSD president also threatened those present.

- Let no one employed in Gacko accidentally vote for Govedarica and SDS. We will fire you! And I ask you, if you see anyone voting, just let me know, I will fire them, they are not needed... Director, don't be so serious. I tell you very responsibly. I don't want to see them anymore - said Dodik and again received forced applause from high-ranking SNSD officials. 

It is clear why Dodik is behaving this way, why he is so nervous, and why he is shouting into the void more and more every day.

He is aware that the people do not believe a word he says. He has realized that Republika Srpska does not want him and that he will lose power on October 7th. That is why, like any drowning man, he is desperately clinging to what is left: insults, blackmail, and threats.

But it won't work. Because, you see, there is one thing that Serbs have never tolerated. History confirms that those who threatened the Serbian people have only awakened defiance in them.

To get rid of bad habits, all we need is a decision.

Children get over thumb-sucking, people stop smoking and eating fatty foods, stop drinking alcohol. It will be the same with Milorad Dodik, once a "breath of fresh air in the Balkans," as his friend Madeleine Albright once called him, and now - our worst habit.

On October 7th, Republika Srpska will finally turn over a new leaf and get rid of its vices.

As we have already said: all that is needed is a decision.

And the people, it seems, have already decided.

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The author is the president of the SDS Youth Active