A CONSTITUTIONAL COUP HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT, POSSIBILITY OF HOLDING EARLY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS REJECTED

BANJA LUKA, August 22 /SRNA/ - The National Assembly of Republika Srpska rejects the possibility of holding early elections for President of Republika Srpska and demands from all political actors in Republika Srpska, political parties and individuals not to register for potential early presidential elections, it is stated in the draft conclusions proposed by the parliamentary majority.

According to this proposal, the parliament demands from all authorities of Srpska and local self-government units not to undertake any actions related to the potential conduct of early presidential elections.

The proposed conclusions emphasize that the National Assembly does not accept and rejects the verdict of the unconstitutional Court of BiH handed down to the President of Republika Srpska, as well as the decision of the Central Election Commission /CEC/ of BiH on the termination of the mandate of President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik.

The National Assembly notes that the Court of BiH rendered its verdict on the basis of a decision of the unelected foreigner Christian Schmidt, and not on the basis of a law adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, thereby carrying out a constitutional coup and completely destroying the constitutional order of BiH as defined by the Dayton Peace Agreement, of which Republika Srpska is a signatory, it is stated in the conclusions proposed by the caucuses of SNSD, NPS-DNS, DEMOS-SPS, SP and US.

The proposed conclusions recall that Christian Schmidt arbitrarily presents himself as the High Representative in BiH, whose appointment was not carried out in accordance with Annex 10 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, nor confirmed by the UN Security Council.

According to the draft conclusions, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska recalls that President Dodik was elected by the people of Republika Srpska in democratic and free elections and demands from Dodik to continue performing the function of President of Republika Srpska in full capacity, in line with the Constitution of Republika Srpska and by fulfilling his constitutional obligations.

The draft conclusions note that registration for and participation in early elections for President of Republika Srpska would represent a violation of the positions of the National Assembly, a disruption of constitutional balance, and the annulment of Republika Srpska as a party to the Dayton Peace Agreement.

By adopting these conclusions, the National Assembly would request from all authorities, institutions, and official and responsible persons at the level of the Republic and at the level of local self-government units not to undertake any actions related to the potential conduct of early presidential elections.

Any cooperation with the Central Election Commission of BiH on this issue would, as stated, constitute the commission of a criminal offense of "disrespect or failure to implement decisions of institutions or authorities of Republika Srpska" as prescribed by the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska, Article 278a.

The proposed conclusions of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska reject the decisions and practice of the Constitutional Court of BiH, which aim to incorporate the High Representative into the constitutional system of BiH as a holder of authority.

The National Assembly of Republika Srpska emphasizes that the High Representative is a Dayton category, whose scope of rights and obligations is regulated by Annex 10. The Assembly recalls that the High Representative is not envisaged in the Constitution of BiH and therefore cannot be a holder of any authority, the draft conclusions state.

The proposed conclusions further state that the parliament of Republika Srpska does not accept the continuous attempts to dismantle and abolish Republika Srpska as the institutional framework and constitutional-legal subject of the Serb people, within which all citizens exercise their collective and individual rights based on the Constitution of BiH.

The document adds that the National Assembly recalls that Republika Srpska is a contracting party to the Dayton Peace Agreement and all of its annexes, and that, given its status as a contracting party, confirmed during the harmonization of the Geneva and New York principles, Republika Srpska has both the right and the obligation to protect the Dayton Peace Agreement.

The National Assembly of Republika Srpska notes that judicial pressures on institutions aim to seize the property of Republika Srpska, thereby stripping Srpska of its powers and depriving it of meaning as a political and legal subject. The Assembly recalls that the issue of property is explicitly resolved by the Constitution of BiH and given under the jurisdiction of the entities according to the principle of a general clause, it is emphasized in the draft conclusions.

According to the proposed document, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska tasks the Collegium of the parliament to prepare the text of a resolution on the self-determination of the Serb people and Republika Srpska.

These conclusions would enter into force on the day of their adoption.

Deputies of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska are considering the conclusions at a special session regarding the Information on the decision of the Central Election Commission of BiH on the termination of the mandate of President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, which, among other things, rejects any form of colonial administration in BiH, identified as the main cause of the constitutional-political crisis, the undermining of the rule of law, and the principles of constitutionality and legality in BiH.