See SDA Conclusions: Healthcare Reform, Introducing Betting Shops into VAT System, Coalition Survival

The SDA Presidency at today's session adopted several conclusions related to the current political and economic situation, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

1. The Presidency welcomes the decision of the BiH Presidency that our country will submit the Application for EU membership in the middle of this month. The Application is made credible by the adoption of the Coordination Mechanism, which is adapted to the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Also, for the credibility of the Application, it is necessary to publish the results of the 2013 BiH Population Census as soon as possible.

2. The SDA Presidency, at today's session, once again confirmed its stance on the Party's commitment to preserving the coalition with SBB. We expect this coalition to strongly continue with reform processes and economic recovery in the best interest of BiH and its citizens.

3. The SDA Presidency demands that the institutions of BiH finally resolve the issue of a sustainable financing model for the RTV system. We expect the proposed amendment to the law on extending the collection deadline based on the existing model to be urgently adopted, and that within that deadline, a sustainable model for financing the public RTV system will be defined and adopted, which will ensure the independence and professionalism of this extremely important segment of BiH society. The SDA Council is tasked with preparing adequate amendments to the law within fifteen days, which will finally resolve this issue.

4. The SDA Presidency demands that the Minister of Finance in the FBiH Government revoke her decision on the distribution of public revenues until the official results of the 2013 BiH Population Census are published. We call on the federal Minister of Finance to annul this decision, otherwise, authorized proposers will file an appeal with the Constitutional Court, as well as other legally possible measures.

The SDA Presidency considers it necessary to implement reforms in the healthcare sector as soon as possible. In line with its Electoral Platform, and in the interest of patients and healthcare workers, the SDA will support reforms that will ensure the rationalization of healthcare and prevent doctors from working simultaneously in public and private institutions.

The SDA Presidency assessed the conclusion of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council on the prohibition of wearing religious symbols by judicial office holders as shameful. The HJPC has exceeded its authority in this way and disturbed the public, therefore, we demand that it revoke the mentioned conclusion, and that the issue of restricting religious freedoms and prohibiting the wearing of religious symbols be considered through parliamentary procedure, public debate, and possible amendments to the laws in this area.

The SDA Presidency has given full support to the work of the Foundation for providing legal assistance to members of the veteran population. Also, the request of the veteran categories for the unification of all laws that treat the rights of veterans and their family members was supported. The Party Presidency supported the activities carried out by the Federal Ministry for Veterans' Affairs in drafting the Law on Associations of Special Social Importance, which would regulate this area and clearly define the criteria for who and how can represent veterans.

The SDA Presidency condemns the politicized statement of the President of RS regarding the abolition of the National Assembly of RS. The SDA advocates for identical solutions for the constitutions of the entities. Furthermore, the denial of provisions on national representation in the RS police force based on the 1991 Population Census is unacceptable, as it represents the cementing of ethnic cleansing and genocide.

The SDA Presidency supports the initiative to introduce betting shops into the VAT system, to tighten the criteria for opening and controlling the operation of betting shops, and to strictly sanction non-payment of obligations.