SELAKOVIĆ: A DANGEROUS ASSAULT ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER AND THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT

BELGRADE, August 6 /SRNA/ - Serbian Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković stated that the decision of the BiH Central Election Commission to revoke the mandate of the legally and legitimately elected President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik is nothing short of a forceful annulment of the democratic will of the citizens of Republika Srpska and a dangerous assault on the constitutional order, and on the Dayton Peace Agreement itself.

"This is a political verdict handed down by those who have never been able to accept the fact that Republika Srpska exists as the institutional expression of the right of the Serbian people west of the Drina River," Selaković wrote on Instagram. He emphasized that Dodik not only holds full democratic legitimacy but also enjoys the strong support of his people, and that only the people have the right to give and take away a mandate. Selaković stressed that the Serbian people have, through centuries, learned the meaning of injustice – but warned that anyone who believes they can decapitate Republika Srpska or humiliate the Serbian people through such decisions is gravely mistaken. According to him, the Serbian people have never renounced their freedom and their right to make their own decisions. "To our brothers and sisters in Republika Srpska, I say this: Serbia stands with you. President Aleksandar Vučić stands with you," Selaković stated. The BiH Central Election Commission today issued a decision to terminate the mandate of President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, who was elected in the 2022 general elections. The decision is subject to appeal. The mandate termination was based on the ruling of the Appellate Division of the BiH Court, which upheld a lower court verdict sentencing Dodik to one year in prison and six years of prohibition from political activity, for "failing to comply with the decisions of Christian Schmidt."