(VIDEO) Efendić for Patria: First, separate Dodik and RS from state finances, for the rest there are the Armed Forces and patriots of BiH

Interviewer: Rasim Belko @rasimbelko

President of the Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mayor of Sarajevo municipality Novi Grad Semir Efendić in an interview for the Patria Agency talks about the problems in organizing local elections, the party's plans, but also the political crisis, proposals from RS for separation. At the end of the interview, Efendić speaks to Patria about the monument "Wings of Freedom".

Problems with ballot printing and technical obstacles

Efendić expressed the expectation that the elections will be held as planned, despite problems with ballot printing.

"There are many printing houses in BiH that can print ballots. The problem lies in the fact that the Central Election Commission of BiH did not adequately assess the value of that job," he said.

He believes that, with an appropriate price, a solution and interested companies will be found.

Regarding the technical problems arising from the amendments to the Election Law by Christian Schmidt, Efendić believes that the Central Election Commission can resolve them through internal acts and regulations, in cooperation with local election commissions.

Plans of the Party for BiH

The Party for BiH will participate in the elections in 59 municipalities, including both entities and the Brčko District.

Efendić highlighted the party's successes in the municipalities of Novi Grad Sarajevo, Brčko District and Čelić, which have achieved significant budgets and investments. They plan to field between 10 and 15 candidates for municipal mayors and city mayors, with a special emphasis on the development of local communities.

“We will now have a significantly larger number of candidates for mayors, I believe somewhere between 10-15 candidates, that process is currently underway, we have sent that procedure to our local organizations in order to start with proposals of candidates for lists for municipal councils, but also candidates for municipal mayors and city mayors. In that sense, what we consider to be an example of how a local community can and should develop, precisely these local communities like Novi Grad, where a lot is really being done to improve the lives of citizens, to make it more quality, even regardless of all these political frictions and problems we have at higher levels, municipalities can still work relatively efficiently,” Efendić stated.

He noted that a major problem is the unfair distribution of revenues in BiH, because only 8.2% of GDP belongs to local communities or municipalities.

Challenges in Srebrenica and Velika Kladuša

Efendić commented on the situation in Srebrenica and Velika Kladuša, emphasizing the need for unity in pro-Bosnian politics. He criticized the past boycott of elections in Srebrenica and called for accountability for such moves.

"The biggest problem in Srebrenica is that the mayor is elected by citizens of Serbia," he said, pointing to the problem of voters coming from Serbia and voting in the elections.

“So, tens and thousands of citizens from across the Drina, from Bajina Bašta and other places in Serbia come to vote on that day or two days in four years. They, according to my information, receive a kind of social assistance from the city of Srebrenica and come twice in four years to vote. This is allowed by the RS, which, again, through the law on residence passed by the SDP and some other parties, is enabled to determine who is the actual resident in a certain territory. And secondly, our other state agencies, the Central Election Commission, IDDEEA which is responsible for identification documents, have no way or do not attempt to actually determine who has the right to vote in Srebrenica. But when you see Milorad Dodik from Laktaši participating in local elections in Serbia, then everything is clear to you. So, this is a complete violation of the laws of both countries by Serbian politics,” Efendić states.

Response to a potential separation agreement

Asked about a possible response to the announced separation agreement, Efendić emphasized the importance of the financial independence of the entities and the need to strengthen judicial and police institutions.

"We must separate finances and stop the Republika Srpska from spending our money," Efendić stressed and stated:

“That is a job for our judiciary, for our police agencies, ultimately for our Armed Forces. If they start with concrete activities, we have the Armed Forces for that, which are obliged by the Constitution to protect Bosnia and Herzegovina, and all patriots who will not allow it. However, before that talk about separation, it would be good that in this part of finances, at least things are set up so that you spend as much as you earn”.

Raising awareness and patriotism

Efendić concluded the interview with information about the “Wings of Freedom” and a call to raise awareness about the importance of preserving Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"'Wings of Freedom' are a symbol of the victory and firmness of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which already in June 1992, before the liberation operations in Krajina and on Vlašić, had the strength to resist," said Efendić.

“I think that on those wings of victory new generations must grow up, that we are aware that this is our country, that we have been in it for centuries and that we will always be ready to repel attacks from ourselves, but we must in some way restore self-confidence, we must restore moral responsibility. Among us, there is always a kind of awareness that someone else will do something. No, if this people, citizens of this country, citizens of Sarajevo, citizens of all cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina are not ready to defend themselves, then they will be endangered. But the moment we become fully aware of who or what we are dealing with and when we are ready for it, it will be different and we will build our country,” Efendić concluded.

Below, watch the full interview