KUZMANOVIĆ: SAY A LOUD "NO" TO THOSE WHO WANT SRPSKA TO BECOME A PROTECTORATE

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 24 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Senator Rajko Kuzmanović emphasized that citizens will say a resounding ‘no’ in the October 25 referendum to those who want Srpska to become a protectorate.

He stressed that a referendum is the most democratic form of expressing the people’s will and should be used to defend institutions from the assaults of the illegitimate High Representative, who imposes laws and alters constitutions and the decisions of the highest legislative body.

He pointed out that citizens must make it clear to such people that there is no place for their wishes for BiH, and, by extension, Republika Srpska, to become a protectorate, with them acting as its rulers.

Kuzmanović said that August 22 will be recorded in the history of Republika Srpska as the day when the rights and freedoms of citizens, as well as of institutions, were affirmed, as amendments and supplements to the Law on Referendum were adopted, including the establishment of referendum commissions.

"We are in a situation where a struggle is taking place between those who violate the Constitution and those who defend it. The President of Republika Srpska, the National Assembly, and the republic’s institutions have entered a phase of defending the dignity of elected officials and bodies, as well as those who have been wrongfully accused, such as the President of the Republic," Kuzmanović noted.

He emphasized that the referendum represents the most original form of expression recorded in international legal and political documents and should be used to defend institutions.

"In some provisions of the Dayton Agreement, and thus also in the Constitution of BiH, the concept of a referendum does not exist. However, the Constitution of Republika Srpska regulates it in a very appropriate way, which is why Srpska can hold a referendum," Kuzmanović said.

On August 22, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted a decision to hold a referendum regarding the ruling of the unconstitutional Court of BiH against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and the decision of the Central Election Commission /CEC/ of BiH to terminate the mandate of President Dodik, setting the referendum date for October 25.

The referendum question reads: "Do you accept the decisions of the unelected foreigner, Christian Schmidt, and the verdicts of the unconstitutional Court of BiH against the President of Republika Srpska, as well as the decision of the CEC to terminate the mandate of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik?"