Session of the Centar Municipal Council, Mandić explained his request, heated debate ensued

(Patria) - The session of the Centar Municipal Council has begun, attended by 27 councilors. The agenda was adopted with 25 votes in favor.

The Mayor of Centar Municipality, Srđan Mandić, who proposed the request for a review of the recall that was voted on July 27, appeared at the session late.

Independent councilor Senada Bosno asked what the legal basis was for submitting the objection.

Mandic addressed the Municipal Council, explaining the legal basis for reviewing the recall of the municipal mayor from July 27, 2023, and forming a Recall Commission. As he stated, not all conditions were met for proposing the recall and holding an emergency session.

Councilor Jasmin Ademović (NIP) said that Mandić had the right to a review of the decision.

"We made the decision in accordance with the law. An emergency session does not involve the Collegium. I think we should review the decision from the emergency session. If the Council votes in favor of this decision, it confirms that decision; if it does not confirm it, then there is no referendum, nor has the decision entered into force," Ademović said.

He also referred to the reasons why the Councilors' Club signed the initiative for the recall and reiterated that Mayor Mandić had grossly violated provisions requiring him to publicly publish decisions, failed to provide information on service contracts, and failed to submit the decision on the appointment and formation of public procurement commissions.

"We have been requesting all of this for the past three years, and it is clear that the Sarajevo Agreement has been violated and that the mayor does not respect the agreement, and we still stand behind the initiative," Ademović said.

Bosno addressed the mayor's claim "that a group of councilors acted illegally."

"On the contrary, it is a democratic act. We acted in accordance with the law; there is no element of exceeding official or any other authority," Bosno said.

OV Chairman Sejad Đozo said that according to the adopted conclusions, they were obliged to schedule an emergency session and that he acted accordingly.

"We did everything according to the law. We did not violate laws, regulations, or the Statute. Why did we do this? Transparency in work. All councilors supported me when I requested that we be provided with information on how many advisors we have in Centar Municipality and how much money was spent. I even submitted a request for access to information through the protocol and received a partial response. Is it possible and normal to hide for three months what is being done with municipal property managed and disposed of by the Municipal Council? A genetically mutated person is not a chairman who demands to show how much money was spent on illegal advisors," Đozo said.

Head of the SDP Councilors' Club, Dragan Stevanović, said he does not dispute the right of a group of councilors to initiate the recall of the mayor.

"But what is disputable is the urgency. The Council should accept that this is urgent and of vital importance, but this was not so urgent for us or the citizens that we could express our opinion on it. The second issue is political correctness. If you are in a coalition with someone, then you discuss it with them. Or leave the coalition and form another one. That is fair," Stevanović said.

He added that it is evident that the coalition no longer exists and that the SDP will continue to act according to its principles.

Councilor Biljana Lazarević (NIP) said she would not reply to Stevanović but that it is not okay to mention anyone's children or daughters-in-law.

Independent councilor Dženan Muminović said he would file a lawsuit against Stevanović for making claims regarding his brother and sister-in-law.

"I come from the private sector, not from state-run nurseries like Doctor Stevanović. The executive boards and supervisory boards used by Doctor Stevanović—I will not go into further reply out of respect for his age," Muminović said.

Councilor Velija Katica said this is not a place where parties should be mentioned.

"I am the happiest man because I do not use social media. Democracy says if we need to sit in this hall for three days, we should sit and come to an agreement. I am the longest-serving councilor in this hall. The situation in Centar Municipality has never been worse than it is now. We have to follow the media to see what is happening in Centar Municipality. We all have the right to our own opinion, to be dissatisfied, and to raise our hand in favor of a majority position. This municipality has the largest budget in the country, and we must use it," Katica said.