'SDP will fight for BiH to be a state for all and a society where everyone is equal'

ZENICA, (Patria) - The Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina marked 109 years of continuous work and existence at the Bosnian National Theatre in Zenica.

The ceremonial academy was attended by more than 400 guests, members and sympathizers. At the beginning, Nermin Nikšić, president of the SDP BiH, addressed those present, stating that the SDP's struggle for the state of BiH began 109 years ago and continues to this day.

„The ethno-nationalist government has been destroying this country for three decades, and every person in BiH is a victim. Although the evil of nationalism and chauvinism was once defeated, today the struggle is relevant again. Nationalists in BiH are fighting for power in order to serve foreign rulers and foreign interests.

Those who point fingers at alleged enemies are the same ones who are simultaneously dipping their hands into our pockets and robbing us. Enough of social and economic inequality, this is not a private state of three people. The SDP will fight for BiH to be a state for all and a society where everyone is equal, not a state from which young people leave“ said Nikšić and added that the SDP is unconditionally and always against divisions.

„Never have fewer laws been passed. Corruption has destroyed the hope that things will get better. The best doctors have been dispersed. The cost of living is rising, while incomes are decreasing. The SDP has a Plan 10 to fight the current situation. Youth unemployment should be changed through employment, not by sending them to Germany“, said Nikšić and highlighted the complete inaction of the current government and the failure to hold parliamentary sessions.

Nikšić emphasized that the struggle for the state, the struggle for workers and citizens begins in October, and called on everyone to support the candidate for the BiH Presidency member Denis Bećirović, who will serve all citizens.

Denis Bećirović addressed those present, saying that his policy is oriented towards the future, young generations, and the civilizational heritage of anti-fascism, which is responsible for the survival of today's BiH.

„At a time when Europe and the world are moving towards the future, we must not remain prisoners of the past. We must seek new formulas and solutions and open new horizons. All countries in the region do not need to demonstrate their greatness in the 21st century by rattling weapons. We want to show that this is a great country inhabited by good and passionate people. We should not demonstrate our greatness through percentages of territory, statistical population censuses, the range of cannons, tanks, the number of planes and armed divisions, battles from the past, but through new ideas, optimism, and belief in a different role for each of us. It is time to start seriously working on creating a state identity for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The state of BiH needs a sustainable identity, founded on equality, respect for differences, and not the denial of national, religious and other identities“, said Bećirović.

Saša Magazinović, president of the Main Board of the SDP BiH, also addressed those present, emphasizing that the SDP has a hundred difficult years behind it in which it did not lose its honor.

„We entered the next hundred years fighting old battles in new circumstances. The opponents are nationalism, hatred and politics that encourage divisions. As many times before, we must be aware of our role, because the fate of BiH is closely tied to the fate of the SDP, a party that works on unification“, stated Magazinović.

As part of the ceremonial academy, Plaques for contribution to the construction, strengthening and affirmation of the ideas of the left, anti-fascism and the realization of the program goals of the SDP BiH were awarded to prominent party members. This is the highest recognition of the Social Democratic Party, and this year's recipients are Ilija Jurišić, Salih Brkić, Šerifa Hadžihrustanović, Mulo Hadžić, Zdravko Gavranović, Dževad Resić, Marija Petrović, Senad Šećerović, Jasmin Agić, Džemil Omerović and Mehmed Behmen.

The founding congress of the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held on June 28 and 29, 1909 in Sarajevo. Workers then formed a party that would defend and represent their rights and interests. It would undergo numerous legal and organizational transformations from its inception to the present day, but it never loses continuity and without exception remains the party of all Bosnians and Herzegovinians, the working people who fight for social justice, for the equality of people in our country and the equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina with other countries.