ŠOLAJA: BOSNIAKS SEE ALTERNATIVE IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA OPPOSITION

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 17 /SRNA/ – Bosniak political representatives see an alternative in the Republika Srpska opposition, which is also evident through their support for Branko Blanuša in the snap presidential elections in Srpska, Bojan Šolaja of the International and Security Studies Centre told SRNA.

"They now want to influence the election results, believing that if there is a change in that position, they can further develop such approach toward Republika Srpska. Unfortunately, this is yet another attempt to weaken the Republika Srpska institutions," Šolaja said. He states that, based on what the opposition is saying, Bosniaks see an opportunity for new political turbulence in Republika Srpska. "They see space there to continue with their agenda of a civic BiH. For these reasons, Republika Srpska has sought to protect its institutions, which led to all these developments. Everything began with, and revolves around, the property issue," Šolaja emphasized. He notes Republika Srpska's position on the property issue is clear, but that Bosniaks hope that the arrival of a different political structure to power would resolve the matter in their favour. "The only place where discussions can take place is the Republika Srpska institutions The institutions of Srpska have a functional structure. The National Assembly, the Government, and the institution of the President are all functional. After all, we will have elections. Above all, the role of the president of Srpska is to defend the Republika Srpska Constitution, which is certainly not the desire of the political structures from Sarajevo," Šolaja stated. He recalled that there had previously been a recomposition in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, noting that the electoral will of the citizens is often ignored. "BiH today looks completely different from what was agreed in 1995. On the other hand, the Sarajevo-based parties refuse any dialogue on any of the outstanding issues. Quite simply, all of this was expected because they see the opposition as a partner and a softer variant of the politics coming from Republika Srpska," Šolaja emphasized. He said that Bosniak political representatives wanted to exclude Milorad Dodik from political life, with the help of Christian Schmidt, believing that in doing so they would also eliminate the current policies of Republika Srpska toward BiH. "Republika Srpska is obliged to protect itself institutionally, as well as to protect its constitutional competencies. The Dayton Peace Agreement is the fundamental framework for the functioning of BiH," Šolaja concluded.