Ogrešević: The role of the state-building NES in complicated political relations and government in HNK can be of crucial importance

(Patria) - The Government of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNK), according to announcements by some media, should be elected in the next few days. However, it is not yet entirely clear who should constitute it. It is clear that HDZ BiH is practically indispensable in the process of forming the government, but it is still unclear who their coalition partners will be.

Negotiations with HDZ, as partners, have been led in recent months by SDA and NES BiH on one side, and SDP on the other. Recently, there have been speculations that this so-called pro-Bosniak bloc could unite. However, due to internal disagreements within SDA and SDP, the final contours of this possible coalition are unclear.

We sought a comment from Nermin Ogrešević, president of the People's European Party (NES), who has not yet commented on the formation of the government in HNK. NES has one representative in the HNK Assembly.

"When it comes to forming the HNK Government, first of all, it is necessary to speed up this process as much as possible and end this agony that the citizens are going through. Based on the negotiations and agreements with our political partners so far, I expect the HNK Government to be formed soon and for the People's European Party of BiH to participate in it.

Our role in the complicated political relations in HNK can be of crucial importance, especially considering the fact that NES BiH has shown principledness and state-building, which primarily means not yielding to policies that undermine the competencies and interests of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina," says Ogrešević.

He adds that NES has clearly defined and set "red lines" below which politics in BiH should not be conducted, and in accordance with that, it did not enter the process of forming state and federal government, regardless of the attractiveness of positions, as Ogrešević says "seat-warmers reproach them".

"Therefore, I expect from our partners, primarily from SDA, to be sensitive and principled when forming the HNK Government and to respect their political partners. Aware of the fact that SDA is facing a political challenge, we hope that they will confirm and strengthen their partnership through their actions," states Ogrešević.