VUČIĆ: UNDERMINING LEGITIMACY GRANTED BY PEOPLE IS WRONG

BELGRADE, AUGUST 6 /SRNA/ – President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić has said today, commenting on the BiH Central Election Commission’s decision revoking the office of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, that anyone believing it is possible to undermine the legitimacy granted by the people is wrong, noting that Serbia stands with its people and Srpska.

Vučić emphasizes Dodik is now putting the question before the people as to whether or not the decision of the CEC or the Court of BiH is accepted, because he was elected by the people of Republika Srpska.

He stresses that Dodik is not the cause of the crisis, but is responding to what has happened.

Vučić called for peace and expressed hope that a way out of the deep crisis affecting entire BiH – and Republika Srpska not through its fault - will be found.

“Someone thought the legitimacy granted by the people could be undermined. That is wrong. My plea to everyone is: stay calm, rational, and avoid any escalation. We must stand by our people and Republika Srpska. Supporting our people, Republika Srpska and preserving peace will always be our policy,” Vučić said in an interview with Belgrade’s TV Prva.

The Central Election Commission of BiH today issued a decision terminating the presidential office of Milorad Dodik as President of Republika Srpska, who was elected in the 2022 general elections. The decision is subject to appeal.

CEC's decision followed the ruling of the Appellate Division of the Court of BiH, which upheld an earlier first-instance judgment sentencing President Dodik to one year in prison and six years of a ban on political activity for "non-compliance with the decisions of Christian Schmidt".