Božo Ljubić's War Rhetoric: A Lone Wolf or Croatia's Official Stance

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The proposed law on electoral units in FBiH has caused fierce reactions from representatives of HDZ and HDZ 1990, who boycotted the session of the FBiH Parliament where the law was proposed.

The furthest went the president of the Main Council of HNS and a member of the Croatian Parliament, Božo Ljubić, who considers the proposed law on electoral units unacceptable and absurd, claiming it could lead to the disintegration of BiH, and not peacefully.

- This proposal is against the Constitution, it derogates both the Constitution and the Constitutional Court of BiH. In such a way that it transfers BiH's competencies to the entity level. I have been politically active for a long time and I am not aware of any act by any body in BiH that is so anti-state and that moves towards the division of the country as this act. I cannot call it anything other than absurd. Imagine if the National Assembly of Republika Srpska decided to change the Election Law of Republika Srpska and the method of electing delegates. Who could object to anything from the actors of this act when they themselves derogate the BiH Constitution? So, it is an irresponsible political act for which I hope will not produce negative consequences – Ljubić told N1 television on Wednesday.

Commenting on Ljubić's positions, analysts assess that the only absurd thing is that Božo Ljubić sits in the parliament of a neighboring country /member of the Croatian Parliament/, from whose taxpayers he receives a salary, while at the same time working to undermine his own country.

Inflammatory and warmongering rhetoric from politicians in BiH is nothing new, especially in election years, but for analysts, the case of Ljubić is problematic because it comes from the mouth of a man who, as a member of parliament, represents neighboring Croatia, so it is unclear whether Ljubić is expressing his personal views or the views of the country he represents.

- The Election Law and the decision of the Constitutional Court cannot be implemented at any level except the BiH Parliament. I am sorry that people in BiH and the main actors do not understand this. I cannot interpret this in any other way than absurd, meaningless, and I cannot find any logic other than the logic that insists on absurdity as a way to end absurdity. I fear that end, you know. I fear that it would represent the disintegration of BiH, because I know that it could not be implemented peacefully – Ljubić believes.

Many have interpreted this statement by Božo Ljubić as a call for conflict. Prominent director Dino Mustafić wrote on Twitter: “What SDS was in the 90s for BiH, HDZ is now! And we know how that ended, so such politicians should be prevented in time. Voting against HDZ in October means being for peace.”

The president of DF and former member of the Presidency of BiH, Željko Komšić, reacted with a sharp public statement: “I am very curious what Ljubić is threatening from the parliament of a neighboring country. Does this mean that Croatia is preparing a new aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina because it does not like some proposed law in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and for violating the Dayton Peace Agreement?” Komšić said.

Analysts also note that Ljubić often invokes patriotism and respect for the state of BiH, but that throughout his political career, he has worked to diminish the state of BiH. Some opposition parties in BiH requested on Thursday morning that neighboring Croatia, i.e., the Croatian state leadership, declare itself and publicly distance itself from Božo Ljubić's statements regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina, or else the neighboring country's silence will be interpreted as a sign of approval and support for Ljubić's goals.