The High Representative in BiH addressed the public and announced that if the political elites do not agree on changes to the Election Law regarding electoral integrity, in the coming days, he will impose his amendments.

“2023 is coming to an end, I think BiH had an extraordinary year, I thank everyone who worked to ensure that the country has a European future, especially the authorities because they accelerated the processes of passing laws. If I understood correctly, the previous Government passed two laws per year, and the incumbent passed up to 10, which is praiseworthy. However, all this is still not enough”, Christian Schmidt said.

Fair elections are of crucial importance. Citizens must be allowed to vote in this way, every vote must be counted, and measures against election fraud must be strengthened, he said. “We lose if we do not act, we lose voters’ trust in the electoral process”.

“I have respect for the Parliament, but today is my final call to them to make these changes. If they don't, the deadline will expire and I will consider it disrespectful to the voters. If the domestic authorities don’t find a solution, now, not in the next month or year, then everyone knows that there is one person in the city who has the authority and competence to make such a decision. This is not interference in the work of the Parliament, but the strengthening of democracy”, the High Representative warned.

The leaders of the opposition parties, from the Republika Srpska as well as the Federation entity, have for some time presented their proposals regarding changes to the Election Law, and above all, the integrity of the election process.

The ruling parties, however, declaratively support this story, but in practice, they made no progress for many years.

The practice of the High Representative is to hold a press conference and reminds politicians of their obligations and the deadline after which he imposes his decision in case they fail to do what they are supposed to.