The amendments to the Electoral Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina proposed by HDZ BiH are fully aligned with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to Darijana Filipović, Vice President of HDZ BiH. Speaking during the evening news program on RTV Herceg-Bosna, Filipović emphasized that the Constitutional Court of BiH had confirmed this assessment.
"This is not just my political opinion, but a clearly expressed position of the Constitutional Court. The solution we are now offering is entirely based on the Constitution," Filipović stated.
She noted that some political actors consistently refuse to engage in discussions about Electoral Law reforms, while simultaneously accusing others of not respecting the Constitution, which she labeled as contradictory. She also pointed out that, in calling out others’ mistakes, these parties often overlook their own.
Obstruction of the House of Peoples and Endless Blockades
Commenting on the recent session of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Filipović said that the Bosniak caucus blocked the quorum, effectively halting debate on the proposed changes to the Electoral Law.
"Although the issue was on the agenda, suspicions voiced at the beginning of the session were confirmed—the Bosniak caucus ultimately prevented the session from continuing," Filipović told host Tihomir Šutalo.
She expressed hope that such blockades would not continue indefinitely and said she expected the issue to be revisited soon. “I believe this item will be back on the agenda of the House of Peoples very soon—by the end of the month, when a regular session is planned,” she added.
Mostar Meeting: Commitment to Functional Governance
Reflecting on the recent meeting of political partners in Mostar, Filipović said that the messages from the gathering conveyed a sense of optimism, particularly regarding governance in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to her, there is a shared commitment to making government more functional, both in the executive branch and the legislative sector.
A variety of issues were discussed at the meeting—including fiscal and social topics, capital infrastructure projects, and institutional efficiency. "Discussions also covered public companies and administrative staffing solutions. There is a willingness to tackle these issues through a clearly defined dynamic and concrete steps," Filipović explained.
She assessed that although much has been accomplished in the past two years, there is still considerable room for progress, especially since issues within the Federation’s jurisdiction have a direct impact on development projects at the cantonal, municipal, and city levels.
European Path Stalled Due to Institutional Crisis
Speaking about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path toward the European Union, Filipović acknowledged that while there was progress at one point, it is now clear that the process has stalled. She attributed this to an ongoing institutional crisis.
"The failure of institutions to function has halted the adoption of two key laws, as well as the appointment of the chief negotiator. All of this shows that the European path is currently in a phase of stagnation, reflecting the present political situation in BiH," she said.
Nonetheless, she emphasized that the Croatian political representatives in BiH will continue their efforts to remove institutional blockades and push forward with EU integration. She added that they will do so not only through advocacy but also through active participation and voting within relevant institutions.
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