Ogrešević: At the FBiH level, everything is subordinated to Čović's interests, and the state level is controlled by Dodik, the Trojka is the weakest partner

(Patria) - Speaking about the reconstruction of power in USK, Nermin Ogrešević, president of the People's European Alliance, pointed out that in this canton, 'classic SDA happened'.

We expected to gather, strengthen our forces, we believed that SDA understood this, and that we would build trust, he said on the show Rezime.

"The most is lost here in trust. SDA members lacked positions, they did it also for NES's competitiveness. They have no vision, except for positions. I expected the SDA leadership to stand behind values. Does their cooperation with Trojka mean we have no problems. That's the message," stated Ogrešević, adding that NES believes in partnership with SBiH.

Election Law

Ogrešević, among other things, says that NES advocates for the adoption of amendments to the election law that will ensure fair elections.

"The opposition supported the conclusion by which the Council of Ministers of BiH was obliged to propose amendments to the election law, however, the Council of Ministers has done nothing so far. Therefore, the High Representative's observation that he is addressing politicians does not stand in that part because the government is responsible precisely for proposing amendments to the election law," he believes.

He emphasizes that the opposition is ready to support technical amendments to the election law. Amendments to the election law are expected from Trojka, HDZ, and SNSD, and these will have support in parliament, Ogrešević stated.

"Now is the opportunity for all of us to show whether we are in principle for fair elections or only substantively. HDZ and SNSD will particularly have to show themselves here, they must give us the opportunity to vote for such amendments through their activities in the Council of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly," he said.

He also explained what we can expect from PDP and SDS if the High Representative imposes technical amendments to the election law, stating that if they accept it, it would de facto mean recognizing Christian Schmidt.

"In BiH, everything is obviously causally connected. We have general complications and somewhat controlled chaos. It would be better if the Parliamentary Assembly adopted amendments to the election law than for the High Representative to impose it. I think pressure should be put on the current Council of Ministers and the parliamentary majority, and for us to adopt them," said Ogrešević.

On the Judiciary

Regarding the arrests of Ranko Debevec and Osman Mehmedagić, he said it is a 'precedent and a very serious situation for the president of a court to be arrested'.

"In any country, including BiH, those responsible for his arrest must bear that responsibility, and we expect at the end of that process that the arrest will be justified because it is not a small matter. It compromises the entire judicial system. We have a latent conflict between the Court of BiH and the Prosecutor's Office of BiH. We have several prosecutors in disciplinary proceedings. All these events affect citizens' trust in the judicial system," said Ogrešević.

The international community led the judicial reform process, and at this moment, we can say that it is a compromised reform and that it is unsuccessful, he is categorical.

"The fight against crime and corruption must be comprehensive. Systemic, organized, regulated. This way, when moments and cases are chosen, it creates distrust. We have a compromised court, why is this happening at the time when the trial against Milorad Dodik is ongoing. We can also think in that way, that it is all somewhat connected," Ogrešević believes.

He also points out that the unverified statements of minister Nenad Nešić about the arrest of lawyer Senka Nožica are unserious and irresponsible.

"I have little or no trust in him, and I believe a significant number of citizens do too. His priority was to be in the election headquarters of Vučić's SNS. I was shocked when I saw that. Dodik, Nešić, Mandić from Montenegro, what kind of message is that, these are officials of the Bosnian state after all. That is a message of destruction. Vučić and Serbia do not respect the sovereignty of BiH, and that is the source of all problems. We will have to fight against that in the future. We must get serious, times are tough. If there was the will of SNSD and other political actors, we could function as a normal country," claims Ogrešević.

BiH's European Path

Regarding BiH's European path, he assessed that it is illusory to expect that we can fulfill all 14 priorities by the deadline.

"We can start working on them. NES will support all reform laws that are in line with European standards. Where the government, especially Trojka, is making mistakes is not involving the opposition more actively. There should be no positions and opposition when it comes to European integration," stated Ogrešević.

Ogrešević also said that Čović's influence is undeniable and that he dictates the pace, and the weakest partner in power is Trojka.

"The position of HDZ and how it positions itself is that they dictate the pace. We see that through the work of the Federal Government and the inaction of the parliament, this year has passed without anything being done except staffing. Čović has his political goals, one of them is the election of Marin Vukoja to the Constitutional Court, and everything else is subordinated to that. At the state level, the role of Dodik and SNSD is significant because they have four delegates in the House of Peoples. Therefore, they have the most influence and responsibility. If we are at a standstill on the European path, they are responsible," he explained.