Adis Ahmetovic, a Bundestag member and representative of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, commented on the latest political events in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly those referring to the latest decisions of High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, warning that these actions will have "long-term consequences."

“In the past six months, the constitution in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been changed several times by force majeure, by the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt,” said Ahmetovic, noting that the last decision regarding the government formation process in the Federation entity (FBiH) is one in a series of “serious interventions for the highest good of a democracy.”

Schmidt imposes a decision to unblock government formation in Federation entity

“For such a young democracy as BiH, such actions are profound and have long-term consequences. For this reason, I criticise this way of acting, because as a parliamentarian myself, I would never accept such a thing for my country, which I represent,” Ahmetovic said in a statement.

He also noted that “the guidelines for all constitutional changes that are adopted in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be in accordance with the Copenhagen criteria, the Venice Commission and the European Court of Human Rights.”

He emphasized that the country deserves a European future and that it is these criteria that must always be followed instead of “unilateral decisions sowing doubt that the international community is focusing on the functionality of the entire state and overcoming ethno-nationalism.”

“It must never be allowed to give the impression that partisan policy is being conducted, in order not to lose important trust. Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves a European future – and it needs a fresh start to achieve it. The social-democracy received trust from the citizens of BiH to achieve a change of course in the country towards the European Union and to overcome the propagated ethno-nationalism. Therefore, we must and will continue to support these forces that are committed to strengthening of democracy”, he said.

Ahmetovic also recalled of his Bosnian origin and multi-ethnic background.

“I am the son of Bosnian war refugees. I come from a multi-ethnic family where we celebrate at least four major religious holidays a year. I don't put people in ethnic denominations. According to this principle, I was not only brought up in my parents’ home, but also socialised in the Federal Republic of Germany. This is one of the reasons why I eventually managed to become a member of the German Bundestag. These universal values that apply to me are the compass of my work as a German foreign policy expert. They are guided by values, as our Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. And I am sure that the majority of people in BiH – whether Jews, Catholics, Muslims, Orthodox Serbs or non-denominational – want exactly such a way of life for themselves. The decisions published by the Ofice of the High Representative are diametrically opposed to these values. It is up to the parliamentarians of the FBiH to decide, and especially the social democracy of the FBiH, my sister party, what future concept they want for BiH, its people in the country and the diaspora,” said Ahmetovic.