Konakovic: HDZ BiH's Election law proposal unacceptable to Troika

Konakovic, who leads the People and Justice party (NiP)—a member of the ruling coalition—is one of the signatories of a new political platform launched last week at the initiative of the opposition from the Republika Srpska entity. The platform aims to reset political cooperation across the country, excluding only Milorad Dodik’s Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD).

The initiative has garnered support from ten parliamentary parties, though not from the HDZ BiH. Its leader, Dragan Covic, reiterated that resolving Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political crisis and continuing progress toward the EU is only possible if the HDZ’s electoral law amendments are immediately adopted, along with two key reform laws linked to EU accession talks.

"That would immediately resolve the issue of internal stability and the European path," Covic said regarding the new platform.

The HDZ BiH's proposal centres on changing the method of electing the Croat member of the Presidency. Under the suggested model, the outcome would depend largely on votes from cantons within the Federation entity that have a significant Croat population.

On Monday, Konakovic reaffirmed that the pro-Bosnian coalition, often referred to as the "Troika," considers the HDZ’s proposal unconstitutional.

"The Election law proposed by HDZ BiH is unconstitutional," he told reporters in Sarajevo.

He stressed that the Troika wants the issue addressed, but in a manner that incorporates all relevant rulings from the European Court of Human Rights, which have highlighted systemic discrimination in the country’s electoral framework.

According to Konakovic, the only acceptable solution for the Troika is one that removes ethnic qualifications, ensuring that all citizens can run for the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina regardless of ethnicity.

He also acknowledged that he is not currently in regular communication with Covic but confirmed efforts will be made to establish dialogue and arrange a meeting to address the ongoing disagreements.