LJUBOJEVIĆ: PEOPLE DECIDE - REPUBLIKA SRPSKA IS DEFENDED THROUGH REFERENDUM

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 15 /SRNA/ – The Vice President of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Anja Ljubojević told SRNA that Republika Srpska, following the politically fabricated verdict against President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, is now facing crucial challenges that directly affect its constitutional status, jurisdictions and political future.

Ljubojević assessed that, in a situation where the rights guaranteed by the Dayton Peace Accords are constantly being challenged, and decisions that deeply interfere in the internal affairs of Republika Srpska are imposed by illegitimate foreigners without the consent of its institutions, the only democratic and legitimate path is for the people themselves to decide on the next steps.

"A referendum is not a threat, but a fundamental democratic right of every people to express their position on issues of essential importance. Republika Srpska was created by the will of its people, and only the people have the right to decide on its future," Ljubojević stressed.

According to her, all political entities, institutions, and organizations in Republika Srpska should support the calling of a referendum in order to protect, at the highest level, the interests and will of the people of Srpska.

In this way, she explained, a clear message is sent that decisions concerning Republika Srpska cannot and must not be imposed from outside, without the voice of those who live in it.

"The will of the people is above any political calculation, and the referendum is the purest expression of that will. The people of Republika Srpska are the creators of this state and only the people have the right to decide on its fate. A referendum is not only a right, but also a duty toward the generations who fought for and built Republika Srpska. No decision imposed from outside has legitimacy without confirmation by the people," Ljubojević emphasized.

In a statement to SRNA, she reminded that for years we have been witnessing pressures from foreign power centers, unilateral decisions, and attempts to reduce the institutions of Republika Srpska to a mere decoration in someone else's political games.

She pointed out that the situation has reached a point where there is no longer room for calculations or postponements.

"Enough is enough. Republika Srpska is not defended with words, but with actions, and the referendum is the first and key step and the only legitimate and democratic way to defend its existence," Ljubojević stated.

She pointed out that, due to the constant pressure from foreign power centers, unilateral decisions, the imposition of laws aimed at the political elimination of legally elected representatives of Republika Srpska, and the open undermining of the Dayton Peace Accords, it is necessary for the people to clearly state in which direction Republika Srpska should go and how its rights will be defended.

Ljubojević underlined that the referendum is the voice of the people, and the voice of the people is the supreme will to which everyone must submit, because no decision made without the support of the people can be either legal or legitimate.

"Republika Srpska is not for sale, it is not a gift, and only its people decide about it. The institutions and people of Republika Srpska must stand together in defense of its constitutional rights and competences. The referendum is the only democratic way for the people to clearly say – it is we who decide on the future of Srpska, not foreigners," Ljubojević concluded.