Top officials of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) swiftly responded regarding the actions taken by the parliament of Bosnia's Republika Srpska entity to unilaterally transfer competences from the state to the entity level with the aim of creating a parallel electoral system within the entity.

In a joint statement, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid warned that those actions go against Bosnia's constitutional order and undermine key reforms achieved over the years.

“These actions go against the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina by establishing parallel structures that undermine the overall security and stability of the country. The OSCE reaffirms its strong support for the Dayton Peace Agreement and the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such steps undermine the achievements reached in terms of key reforms and jeopardise recent progress in the country. Divisive rhetoric and actions threaten stability and are detrimental to the democratic rights of citizens,” the OSCE officials stressed.

Bosnian Serb entity a step closer to introducing its own electoral legislation

The OSCE urged the Republika Srpska National Assembly to withdraw the Election law adopted on 19 April and called on all political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to work constructively at the level of state institutions while “focusing on advancing necessary reforms in the interest of all citizens.”

The entity parliament adopted the law proposal at a session late Thursday night.