Party Defections: SDA Losing Majority in Novi Grad Municipal Council?

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – Party defections in municipal councils are still ongoing, with SDA losing three councilors in the Centar Municipal Council. 

These are Lejla Khattab, Lajla Ćosović, and Miralem Šenderović. They will continue their work as a Club of Independent Councilors. Earlier, Velija Katica, who was formally expelled from SDA, left the SDA Club. From 7 councilors, the SDA Club is left with three councilors. 

Regarding the Novi Grad Municipal Council, SDA has ten councilors and, with several partners, managed to secure a majority of 16 votes. Things began to get complicated after the election of city councilors. Namely, although SDA has the largest club in the City Council, it does not have a single councilor. Two SDA lists received no votes, and mandates were obtained by Bajro Biber (BOSS) and Enisa Spahić (independent representative who won the mandate from the Our Party list) due to the formation of a majority in the Municipal Council. 

This development was the reason for Edina Gabela (SDA) not attending the session, and it is questionable whether a majority still exists. Gabela has not yet commented on the new situation, and it is speculated that she might switch to another political option. 

The current balance of power is SDA, BOSS, USD, Mehmed Karkelja (independent, entered with the Platform for Progress list), Mirza Memišević (DF), Azem Cviko (independent, entered with the SBB list), Enisa Spahić with 15 votes without Edina Gabela. 

NIP (9), Our Party (2), SDP BiH (2), Maja Muftić-Dedović (Platform for Progress), and Fahrudin Tinjak (independent representative) also have 15 votes.