Dodik changes stance on 'European matters', says 'we should be against the integration'

Speaking in a morning programme of the RTRS, a public broadcaster in the Serb-majority part of the country, Dodik said that the "malicious comments" on the announced referendum in Republika Srpska should be ignored, because "Republika Srpska is committed to making decisions democratically based on the will of the people."

"Only the will of the people has legitimacy, not the will of a foreigner," said Dodik.

The announcement of a referendum on the Bosnia's State Court rulings and the decisions of the Central Election Commission regarding Milorad Dodikand his mandate of Republika Srpska President met strong international criticism, including that of the EU.

He accused the EU bureaucracy of "lying" and asking the referendum question in a propaganda manner

"Imagine that the EU is against a referendum? Their recommendations state that the only mechanism that speaks to the will of the people is a referendum. In many of their countries there is a referendum, but we alone do not have the right to it," Dodik said.

He also said that "the EU has lost a lot, including democracy, and that European integration has failed, as has the EU."

"If we are smart, we should be against integration. How can we go to the EU when they are against the referendum?," Dodik asked.

He added that he changed his stance on the European matters because "circumstances show that the EU is a liar."