Joint parliamentary blockade by SNSD and HDZ, call for Prosecutor's Office to react

(Patria) – An emergency session of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, scheduled at the request of eight delegates, was not held today due to lack of quorum, after delegates from HDZ BiH and SNSD boycotted its work.

This continues the pattern of blockades in this legislative body, given that the same delegates were absent from the previous session as well, preventing the adoption of important decisions.

Delegate Dženan Đonlagić assessed this as a "joint parliamentary blockade," reminding that there were no objections earlier when sessions were scheduled before religious holidays. He stated that such a practice further undermines the functioning of institutions.

Džemal Smajić stated that the president of HDZ BiH, Dragan Čović, and SNSD delegate Nikola Špirić "are terrorizing not only delegates but all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina." He emphasized that important laws were on the agenda, including amendments related to excise taxes, which, he said, could ease the already difficult lives of citizens. Smajić called on the High Representative to react and find a way to sanction delegates who do not attend sessions, including withholding salaries.

Delegate Šefik Džaferović expressed a similar view, assessing the denial of quorum as "anti-Dayton action" and calling on the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina to react.

"This is an abuse of position. No one has the right to deny a quorum for the work of institutions," Džaferović stated.

The failure to hold the session further deepens the blockade of the legislative process on issues of key importance for the country, including the fulfillment of Bosnia and Herzegovina's international obligations.