REACTIONS Tineke Strik welcomes Schmidt's decision: This ends HDZ BiH's games

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt today used his Bonn powers and imposed a decision on the full funding of the General Elections as requested by the Central Election Commission of BiH, and the news resonated beyond our country, with MEP Tineke Strik also welcoming the decision. 

"A brave and important step, ending HDZ's political games and giving a voice to the citizens of BiH through elections," Strik said, reminding that the Council of Ministers of BiH failed to secure the full amount for holding the elections.

In his address to the public today, Schmidt said that he made a decision securing 12.5 million KM for holding the General Elections, which is the amount requested by the Central Election Commission in preparation for the election process. 

The High Representative expressed disappointment with the fact that the Council of Ministers of BiH made a late decision to secure funds and, as he said, he regrets that the decision did not secure the full amount. 

The Council of Ministers, it was reminded, yesterday, after long hesitation, made a decision to lend 9.7 million KM to the CEC for holding elections, without explaining how the remaining part of the requested amount would be secured. The CEC then called on the OHR to react, which was done today.