JANUARY 9 PROCLAMATION OF NEW SRPSKA CONSTITUTION IS REALISTIC PROSPECT

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 16 /SRNA/ – It is entirely realistic and justified for Republika Srpska to proclaim a new constitution on January 9, as announced by its political leadership, Banja Luka lawyer Milan Petković told SRNA.

Petković said it was important to establish sound foundations for the judiciary, accountability for all, human rights and other key areas.

He said the process of adopting a new constitution should be based on the broadest possible consensus, backed by a two-thirds majority in the Republika Srpska National Assembly.

"Republika Srpska needs a new constitution, given that the existing one has been amended many times since its adoption. We must secure the broadest possible agreement among politicians in Srpska, as well as legal professionals and citizens," Petković said.

He stressed that proposals for the new constitution, with the aim of producing the best possible legal document, must undergo appropriate public, professional and other consultations so that citizens can clearly state what they consider important to include in the new constitution, the highest legal and political act of Srpska.

"This is important because the new constitution will establish the foundations and framework for the entire system governing the current and future functioning of Republika Srpska," Petković explained.

Petković said it was realistic for the new Republika Srpska constitution to be adopted on January 9, noting that the entity had already established a commission and a working group for the task.

"The groundwork has already been laid, and we have enough qualified experts to prepare a high-quality draft and proposal for a new Republika Srpska constitution," he said.

President Milorad Dodik said the plan was to proclaim a new constitution on January 9. He said it would be modern, recognize the constituent status of the peoples and prevent abuses in the functioning of Srpska.

Among other provisions, Dodik said the new constitution would designate Banja Luka as the capital of Republika Srpska and Pale as its seat of power.