SARAJEVO, Aug 7 (Hina) - High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina Wolfgang Petritsch on Monday passed a decision changing the way of electing members of the Bosnia-Herzegovina three-member Presidency should any of its members resign,
die or be dismissed. The most significant consequence of this decision is that the successor of Alija Izetbegovic, who has announced his resignation, will be elected by the newly-elected Bosnia-Herzegovina Parliament, which will most probably disallow the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) to significantly influence the election. The decision was presented to reporters in Sarajevo Monday by Petritsch's deputy, Ralph Johnson, who said this would make sure that residents of Bosnia-Herzegovina in the entity from which the new member of the Presidency is being elected had the most possible influence in the election. Amendments to the law on the filling of positions in the Presidency
SARAJEVO, Aug 7 (Hina) - High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina
Wolfgang Petritsch on Monday passed a decision changing the way of
electing members of the Bosnia-Herzegovina three-member
Presidency should any of its members resign, die or be dismissed.
The most significant consequence of this decision is that the
successor of Alija Izetbegovic, who has announced his resignation,
will be elected by the newly-elected Bosnia-Herzegovina
Parliament, which will most probably disallow the Party of
Democratic Action (SDA) to significantly influence the election.
The decision was presented to reporters in Sarajevo Monday by
Petritsch's deputy, Ralph Johnson, who said this would make sure
that residents of Bosnia-Herzegovina in the entity from which the
new member of the Presidency is being elected had the most possible
influence in the election.
Amendments to the law on the filling of positions in the Presidency
stipulate that the candidate suggested by the House of
Representatives would be elected,
According to provisions which ceased to be valid after the passing
of amendments on Monday, there was a possibility that a member of
the Presidency be elected at the House of Peoples -- theoretically
only three people -- should the House dismiss the House of
Representatives' suggestion twice.
The House of Peoples will now have to influence over the process
because a candidate nominated by the House of Representatives will
be appointed into the Presidency.
The new law stipulates that the new member of the Presidency will be
chosen by the newly-elected Parliament should this position be
vacated 120 days before elections.
This is the case with elections to be held in November.
The possibility that the current Parliament nominates
Izetbegovic's successor was described by Petritsch as completely
inappropriate, considering the mandate of the members of
parliament is soon to expire.
(hina) lml