Session on July 24: Will the plan of the Troika and HDZ pass to submit only one name for the judge of the Constitutional Court of BiH to Parliament?

(Patria) - The next session of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH is scheduled for next week, July 24.

On the agenda for that session is the Proposal of the Decision on the procedure for election and appointment of a judge/judges of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, elected and appointed by the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, which was submitted to the parliamentary procedure by the Troika parties and HDZ BiH.

Federal MP Admir Čavalić stated that this proposal is problematic for several reasons, primarily because it legitimizes bad practice, as was the case with the election of constitutional judge Marin Vukoja, when only a proposal with his name came before the representatives. In that case, the House of Representatives merely confirmed the proposal submitted by the Election and Appointment Committee of the House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament, which has an absolute majority of ruling parties and their satellites. The decision to be considered by the representatives leaves it to the discretion of the Election and Appointment Committee whether to submit one name or four names for the constitutional judge to the House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament.

The proposal submitted to the procedure by the clubs of the Troika and HDZ

Čavalić has prepared a set of amendments to correct this decision and make the judge selection process as transparent as possible:

"(1) That there is no discrimination in the selection of candidates. All who meet the formal requirements can apply and be elected.

(2) That the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council elects the majority of the members of the working group for interviews. Without giving a complete monopoly to the Election and Appointment Committee.

(3) That media presence be allowed during interviews.

(4) That recording of interviews and the use of mobile devices be allowed for everyone except the candidates.

(5) That the 'space, hall' not be a limiting factor for public participation.

(6) That each representative (who will ultimately elect the judge) has the right to ask questions to the candidates. That candidates have up to 60 minutes to answer questions.

(7) That the Election and Appointment Committee submits a list of at least two candidates to the House of Representatives.

(8) That ultimately the representatives elect and confirm the judge of the Constitutional Court.

By adopting these amendments, the procedure for electing a judge of the Constitutional Court of BiH would be significantly improved. Therefore, I expect these amendments to be supported - especially by political entities that claimed, during Mr. Vukoja's appointment, that they had encountered bad practice/procedure. Now is the time to change that practice," Čavalić stated.