DODIK EXTENDS SINCERE WISHES TO MARINE LE PEN FOR SUCCESS IN PRESIDENTIAL RACE

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 21 /SRNA/ – President Milorad Dodik has extended his sincere wishes to Marine Le Pen, candidate of the National Rally party, for success in the French presidential race, stressing that he shares her conviction that Europe's future should be built on respect for national sovereignty, the preservation of the identity and cultural heritage of European peoples, citizens’ security, and the peoples’ right to make independent decisions on key issues concerning their future.

"In her advocacy of a Europe of sovereign nations, I recognize the political principles that I also advocate. On these foundations, I wish to continue developing dialogue, mutual understanding and friendly relations," Dodik posted on X.

He wished the French people peace, security and the freedom to decide democratically on the future of their country, stressing that the violence witnessed on French streets in recent days must be unequivocally condemned.

Dodik said France was entering a period of very important political decisions that would shape its future while also raising fundamental questions about the relations between national sovereignty, the democratic will of citizens and European institutions.

According to him, ahead of the 2027 presidential election, France is facing profound disruptions, economic pressures, a crisis of confidence in institutions and serious public security concerns.

"The right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy, but arson, looting, hooliganism, property destruction and attacks on the police are not political protest; they are violence. The responsibility of the media is to call such actions by their proper name. Violent offenders and hooligans, not demonstrators," Dodik said.

He noted that, under such circumstances, the issues Marine Le Pen has been raising in French politics for years have got additional importance.

"National sovereignty, the right of the people to decide democratically on their own future, citizens' security, the authority of local institutions and government accountability are issues that occupy a central place in her political activities," Dodik stated.

He stressed that the debate on Europe's future could not be reduced solely to economics and the division of powers between Brussels and national governments.

"It is also a debate about the cultural and historical identity of European peoples, the place of our Christian heritage in European civilization, and peoples’ right to preserve their own traditions," Dodik said.

He stated that he rejected the view of Europe according to which national identity, Christian heritage and the right of peoples to decide their own future represent obstacles to progress.

"I oppose globalist political concepts that advocate the ever-greater centralization of power and the suppression of national distinctions. Europe owes its historical strength precisely to the diversity of its peoples, cultures and traditions," Dodik emphasized.

He noted that Le Pen advocates a Europe of sovereign nations, stronger control of national borders, restrictions on illegal migration and the preservation of national identities.

"Her opposition to further EU centralization, her insistence on the autonomy of nations in shaping their own policies, and her calls for a different migration and security policy are points of convergence with my publicly expressed sovereigntist positions," Dodik noted.

He added that he recognised in these issues a shared political framework focused on protecting national identity, autonomy, preserving political competences and opposing the transfer of key decisions to distant international centres of power or to any centres of power that have not been elected by the people.

Dodik stressed that the Serb and French peoples were connected by a longstanding historical friendship that deserved a place in Europe's future and transcended temporary international circumstances.