KOVAČEVIĆ: CITIZENS HAVE RECOGNISED THAT TIME IS RIGHT FOR CONTINUITY, NOT CHANGE

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 9 /SRNA/ – Citizens of Republika Srpska have clearly demonstrated through the elections that they want continuity of the policies headed by Milorad Dodik and the SNSD, while the formation of the government in Republika Srpska will be completed very soon, Serb deputy to the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Radovan Kovačević said.

Kovačević stressed that the priority was to form the government in Republika Srpska as soon as possible, thereby demonstrating institutional stability, noting the situation in this regard is clear, as voters had determined through the elections who should form the government and who should remain in opposition.

“Citizens of Republika Srpska supported all those political forces, primarily Milorad Dodik's SNSD, that demonstrated determination to fight for Republika Srpska, for each individual living in it, for those who did not call for divisions in Srpska or for their radicalisation, but instead called for unity, for all of us to be part of a common front defending and protecting Republika Srpska and striving to ensure a better life for its citizens,” said Kovačević, who is also SNSD spokesperson.

He pointed out that the SNSD had won in all nine constituencies and achieved convincing results at all levels of government.

Kovačević recalled that SNSD candidate for the Serb BiH Presidency member Željka Cvijanović had won approximately 320,000 votes, around 100,000 more than Denis Bećirović, who received approximately 220,000 votes, while HDZ BiH candidate Darijana Filipović received around 120,000 votes.

“She received more votes than both candidates combined. It was an absolutely convincing victory,” Kovačević told ATV.

Regarding the state-level elections, Kovačević said that the SNSD had won more than 40 per cent of the vote for the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, while its three coalition partners had also crossed the electoral threshold and secured seats.

“Based on the election results, we have an exceptionally strong mandate and considerable capacity to represent Republika Srpska, fight for Republika Srpska and pursue the goals that have always been important to us,” Kovačević said.

He stressed that the SNSD's political programme had two main objectives - defending the interests of Republika Srpska and every one of its citizens, and working to improve living standards, dignity and the quality of life of the entire population.

“We will certainly accomplish this in the best possible way,” Kovačrvić said.

Regarding the introduction of new election technologies, Kovačević rejected claims that the SNSD had been afraid of such technologies, stressing that its opposition had concerned the manner in which they were introduced, namely through a decision imposed by officials without an agreement among local political representatives.

“We have never been opposed to new technologies. We were opposed to anyone imposing them. We believed that we should reach an agreement on this issue and that it should be the result of consensus and compromise in BiH. All those who wished Srpska harm, by which I mean Sarajevo and internationals, expected us to lose the elections once new technologies were introduced, encouraged by the claims of our opposition that we were stealing elections. However, I believe they were very surprised, as the election results showed that we won by a greater margin than before,” Kovačević said.

Kovačević stated that the SNSD alone had won more than 200,000 votes for the Republika Srpska National Assembly, while all opposition parties combined, including those that failed to cross the electoral threshold, had received fewer votes than the SNSD.

According to him, citizens recognised that the ruling coalition had managed, even during a difficult political period, to preserve the stability of Republika Srpska, achieve economic progress and growth, and open the door to cooperation with numerous international partners.

“Citizens of Republika Srpska have clearly understood that the real time for Republika Srpska is only now beginning, and that this is certainly not a moment for change, but rather a moment for that same team to receive even stronger support so that it can continue opening doors for Republika Srpska and delivering benefits to it,” Kovačević said.

He stressed that priorities in the coming period would include strengthening Republika Srpska's position internationally and locally, attracting foreign investors, creating better conditions for locač entrepreneurs and improving citizens' living standards.

Speaking about personnel appointments in the new Srpska government, Kovačević said that changes would be made and that the SNSD had recognised the citizens' message regarding the need to rejuvenate its political structures.

He noted that this was a gradual process and that several candidates were being considered for the most responsible positions.

Commenting on the possibility of SNSD Organisational Secretary Igor Dodik becoming the next Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Kovačević said that he believed he would be an excellent choice.

“I believe Igor Dodik would make an excellent prime minister. He has both energy and knowledge, as well as considerable experience. He has completed a demanding course of education, worked for major international companies, and, as organisational secretary, put one of the most significant signatures on this major SNSD victory,” Kovačević said.

He added that Igor Dodik, together with certain other SNSD officials, would make an excellent prime minister, but stressed that the Srpska citizens still recognise Milorad Dodik as their natural leader.

Kovačević said that, should an opportunity arise in the future, the SNSD would move towards Milorad Dodik assuming a particular public office, although the decision would also rest with Dodik himself.

“It is well known who our leader is. This is probably one of the key reasons why we consistently achieve such good results and why the citizens of Republika Srpska always know that we are their first choice in Republika Srpska,” Kovačević concluded.