REFERENDUM IN SRPSKA ON OCTOBER 25

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 23 /SRNA/ - The National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted on Friday evening a decision to hold a referendum regarding the ruling of the unconstitutional Court of BiH against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and the decision of the Central Election Commission of BiH to terminate the mandate of President Dodik, setting the referendum date for October 25.

The referendum question reads: "Do you accept the decisions of the unelected foreigner, Christian Schmidt, and the verdicts of the unconstitutional Court of BiH against the President of Republika Srpska, as well as the decision of the CEC to terminate the mandate of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik?" Amendments and supplements to the Law on Referendum and Civic Initiative were adopted, providing for the possibility of establishing a special commission to conduct a referendum in certain cases, with the commission being established by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska. It is stipulated that, in addition to the previously existing bodies, the referendum commission is also a body responsible for conducting the referendum. Out of 65 MPs present, 50 voted in favor, none voted against, and there were no abstentions. Part of the opposition MPs left the chamber during the vote, while others remained in the assembly hall but did not express their position. The National Assembly of Republika Srpska also adopted the Information on the verdict of the Court of BiH delivered against the President of Republika Srpska and the decision of the Central Election Commission of BiH to terminate the mandate of President Milorad Dodik, as well as the position of the National Assembly regarding the future activities of the institutions of Republika Srpska, along with conclusions. The Speaker of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, Nenad Stevandić, concluded the special session following the vote.