DF FORUM IN ZENICA Komšić and Kovačević stated: The fight for a civic BiH is an alternative to the 30-year-long experiment

(Patria) - The hall of the Bosnian National Theatre in Zenica was too small to accommodate all guests at the Democratic Front's forum on the topic "Integrity of the Civic State Policy" where the candidate for member of the BiH Presidency Slaven Kovačević, Miro Lazović, Goran Bulajić, and DF president Željko Komšić addressed the audience. The forum was also broadcast in the BNP foyer to accommodate everyone who came.

Slaven Kovačević told those present that he had stepped onto the front line "believing in you and in what I could do as a member of the BiH Presidency".

“My motive is the continuity of the renewal of the civic state, which began with the wartime Presidency of the Republic of BiH with some phenomenal people who were part of it, such as Miro Lazović, Nijaz Duraković, Ivo Komšić, Mirko Pejanović, Tatjana Ljujić Mijatović, and later Željko Komšić. I had the honor and privilege to work with them, so I want to continue the policy of the civic state. And what is a civic state? It is a state of equal people. If we are not equal, various evils arise from that. Would you prefer to have a society of unequal opportunities and favored individuals, or do you want us to create something that is competitive and have the best people in the most important positions.

A civic state is an alternative to the current situation. And what is the current situation? A BiH locked in ethnic divisions, and this has been going on for 30 years. That is enough time to say the experiment has failed. A society of equal opportunities is the alternative,” said Kovačević.

During his address, he admitted that he is not a conventional politician and that he is ready to fight to the end for what he thinks and believes in.

"I think I am a record holder in the NOs we have said to international partners. I think I have said no to the Americans nine times. There are others who dare to say no, but that consistency that characterizes DF is the path to success. These parties that are fickle, that can go either way, that is a path to ruin, to hell. We must say no to such policies, enough of you,” said Kovačević, who was met with strong applause.

DF president Željko Komšić was the last to address the audience at the forum. He thanked everyone who took the time to attend the forum.

Komšić stated that Slaven Kovačević is not a member of DF but is the party's choice because of everything he does, the way he works, his thoughts, his way of perceiving BiH and his attitude towards it, and because of what he fights for, which is for all people to be equal.

“Slaven Kovačević's role is to continue the fight for BiH, a country of equal people, in the highest executive body in BiH. Some say it like that, some say for a civic BiH. It's all the same. A civic BiH is a country of equal people. Anyone who considers this country their own must have equal rights compared to someone else. That is the Bosnia and Herzegovina we are talking about. It is an election year, Zenica was happy for the national team two days ago, we want it to be happy for us too, at least approximately. I don't want to draw parallels with the national team, but we are all fighting for the same thing. That pride, that victory, and their fight for the jersey, for the crest, for the flag, the same thing drives us. We are also fighting for the same thing, for a country where we will all be equal and the same,” said Komšić.

Speaking about everything that has happened in the last four years, from the suspension of the Constitution, the imposition of solutions, the forceful pushing of certain parties and structures into power, Komšić said that all of this was offered to them as well.

“We refused because it is not fair, it is not good. The negation of democracy in any country cannot end well. Whoever the people trust should be in power. Whether it's us or someone else. Of course, we want that, but not just for the sake of victory. We also want to move forward, we want this country to be different, better. It is beautiful in itself, but this generation that is coming deserves to have a better, more peaceful, safer, fairer life. And that is Slaven's role, and Miro's role, and ultimately my role. Not to be a member of the Presidency, but to fight for what I believe in. Our role is to prevent bad things. Mostly, that fight has been to prevent something. It's time for us to go on the offensive, to show that it can be different, fairer, more honest. I don't want to waste time saying how ready we are to defend this country, but the battle of these elections is to build a better country. Our children deserve to live better. Look at those children in the national team, look at that fight. That's what we want. There are political opponents who are going in the same direction, they want victory. And we want victory,” he said.

He also commented on the news about the alliance between SDA and SDP. He asked if that was a change.

“SDA and I were on the same side for a while. Now suddenly people are backing away and saying we will go with SDP. It's not a problem. But just tell me, is that a change? Seen it, I've watched it from the inside. It didn't yield results. Sometimes we ourselves think we are a small party. The essence is not just to be honest and upright, the essence is not to remain small, but to grow so much that you say we are taking responsibility. Not all positions need to be held by DF members, why shouldn't we let people do their jobs? Why shouldn't we let these educated, smart children work? I am delighted with what I saw in the national team. Barbarez gave opportunities to young people. Let us also give opportunities to children. And that is one of the fights. That's what we want to happen,” he said.

He stated that they want a state where every citizen will prove themselves.

“That's why Slaven is important. Not for us to deceive or outsmart someone. He is important so that this fight continues, it is important to give people hope, to bring back smiles, so that they feel half as good as they felt after the match. That's what we are fighting for, and that's why we are here today and tomorrow. The people will decide. We are ready to guarantee you that we will be different. And let's not shy away from saying that we want victory. Wherever we exist as a party, we want to fight and win. Whether Milorad Dodik, Čović, or I remain on the scene, the people will say. People who work with me know that I am a rather difficult person to work with. Anything is possible, but to mess around, lie, and steal, that's not possible. It was like that and it will be like that,” Komšić stated.