Is a new reconstruction of the Sarajevo Canton Government coming in October: Marjanović and his ministers on their way out of power?

By Amra Vrabac

A new reconstruction of the Sarajevo Canton Government could follow shortly after the local elections in October, and the Canton Government would eliminate the cadres of ZNG, i.e. Damir Marajnović.

When the new Sarajevo Canton Government was appointed in November 2023, ZNG received as many as two portfolios: higher education and finance, even though ZNG's parliamentary capacity is almost insignificant with one representative. However, Marjanović received the support of the then independent representative Redžo Lemezan, who left Our Party, for the entry of ZNG cadres into the Canton Government, and the founder of ZNG had previously agreed everything with the head of People and Justice, Elmedin Konaković, whose goal was to get rid of the 'disobedient' cadres of the Party for BiH.

However, soon after the appointment of the new government, squabbles began between the coalition partners. Marjanović's ministers caused headaches for other ministers, especially the Minister of Finance Afan Kalamujić, who slowed down processes in other ministries by unnecessarily dragging out administrative procedures and giving necessary opinions for payments to be made. Very often, the ministers themselves had to intervene to speed up these processes in the Ministry of Finance.

On the other hand, squabbles began between Minister Adna Mesihović and the University of Sarajevo, and there are several reasons. Amendments to the Law on Higher Education are being prepared again, and it seems that whichever government comes into power, it makes the law to its own measure, which is disastrous for the higher education sector.

In addition to all these problems, ZNG decided to join forces with the Platform for Progress in the Sarajevo Canton, and Kalamujić is also a candidate for mayor of Novi Grad in the upcoming elections, while the parties of the 'trojka' have their candidate, Benjamin Karić.

Redžo Lemezan, who is no longer an independent representative and is now a regular at SDP rallies, is washing his hands of Marjanović and his ministers. In his reaction to these events and the ZNG-PZP coalition, he said that he had made a mistake in his assessment and that he was not even consulted by ZNG.

"When I chose the Minister of Finance, I chose a young man, a doctor of economic sciences, thinking that his energy would contribute to strengthening the budget of the Sarajevo Canton. Unfortunately, I was mistaken. I apologize to the citizens for my poor judgment. I am also sure that the government partners in the Sarajevo Canton (NiP, Our Party, SDP) are disappointed with this candidacy and the betrayed trust," Lemezan stated.

Minister of Culture and Sports Kenan Magoda and Damir Marjanović and Minister Mesihović also declared war through statements and press releases, exchanging mutual accusations due to the state of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Magoda, during his appearance on N1, told Marjanović that he should "worry more about the roads in Zagreb because he is there more than in Sarajevo," alluding to the fact that Marjanović is the director of an institute in Croatia and is absent more often than present at the sessions of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly. It is interesting that Marjanović's position and workplace in Zagreb did not bother anyone when the Sarajevo Canton Government was being formed, which nevertheless shows that the interest was above "false" principles at the time.

But, let's return to the possible reconstruction of the Government.

Essentially, the current majority has 21 votes (SDP seven with Lemezan, NiP six after Arijana Memić left the club, but who mostly votes the same way as the current government, Our Party four, and Damir Marjanovič, Elza Gaković, and Admela Hodžić). They do not need a new partner to confirm the new Sarajevo Canton Government, because without Marjanović they have 20 votes, while the majority required is 18.

The question that remains open is how to fill these two vacant positions in the Sarajevo Canton Government. Most likely, SDP and NiP will appoint one more minister each. Whether these two positions (finance and higher education) will be filled will also depend on whether there are any other ministers who have not met expectations.

Although the 'trojka' claimed that expelling the Party for BiH would bring "milk and honey" to the Sarajevo Canton Government because two ministers were allegedly creating obstructions, it is evident that this was just an excuse, as the problems have only continued.

Debts of public enterprises, controversial personnel and public procurement, borrowing, dissatisfaction of trade unions, ban on protests by education workers, inefficient healthcare system, numerous contracts for work with party cadres, have only partially marked the current government. And too much time has passed to continue justifying it with the story that it is the legacy of the previous government led by SDA.

The next two months will be spent preparing for the local elections and the election campaign. The Assembly of the Sarajevo Canton will also take a break, unless there is an urgent need to adopt certain decisions, and then in October, when the election results are tallied and assessed, the reconstruction of the cantonal government should follow.