DODIK: WE TRUST KARAN, HE HAS ALWAYS ACTED IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA’S INTEREST

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 20 /SRNA/ – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik has said tonight in Banja Luka that the party’s candidate for the President of Republika Srpska, Siniša Karan, will complete his mandate and that he always knows how to act in the interests of Republika Srpska, and therefore deserves the people’s trust.

Dodik explained that he chose Karan because he will carry out the position in cooperation with all and will remain humble. "He is part of us – part of me, my political destiny, my political judgment, and my decisions. I thank him. In Banja Luka, we must start winning again and return the city to winning policies. I expect that, in this regard, Banja Luka will vote for Karan. Those who vote for others are voting for Sarajevo and Schmidt", Dodik said at the SNSD’s final rally in the "Borik" Sports Hall. Dodik stressed that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that on election day, all must care about Republika Srpska. "BiH is an obligation that does not provide security. After all that has happened, BiH cannot find internal cohesion and will forever be a burden to everyone. Freedom exists only in a Serb national state. Politics is a difficult path, and only a people with their own policies can count on their security. There is no successful state without strong leaders, and it is always in trouble if that is not the case", Dodik stressed. He added that some foreign and other factors expect him to give up, but they are mistaken. "I remain here to fight for the goals of Republika Srpska. Siniša’s victory will be my victory. We will continue in terms of the development of Srpska, because this struggle for the Republic will be long and difficult. We will measure success in the end", Dodik said. He also thanked coalition partners for supporting SNSD policies. At the same rally, Karan said the large turnout demonstrated the strength of Republika Srpska, unity, and freedom. "Freedom is a precious word, for it one must fight and even die, and the framework for that freedom in Republika Srpska has been set by our President Milorad Dodik. This is the moment when we must defend it", Karan said at the pre-election rally. He pledged to uphold this path of freedom and not allow anyone else to decide instead of the people and their legitimately elected representatives. "The fact that so many of us have gathered here shows the strength of the moment we are in – that we will not give up Republika Srpska and freedom", Karan said. SNSD Vice President Željka Cvijanović urged citizens to vote for Siniša Karan on November 23, emphasizing that he will best represent the interests of Republika Srpska and the Serb people. "Our policy is calm, stable, and developed Republika Srpska. Karan is capable of fulfilling the role of President and defending the will of the people in accordance with the policies of SNSD and Milorad Dodik. Victory will follow. The coming years will be better and brighter for Srpska and everyone living here. Long live Dodik, Karan, Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, and our Serbia", Cvijanović said. SNSD parliamentary club leader in Banja Luka, Dragan Lukač, said the large turnout confirmed a major victory for the party, the people and Republika Srpska. "We are a people with strong leaders who know how to defend us and that is the only prerequisite for survival. That is why we are voting for Siniša Karan", Lukač said. He added that Dodik, Cvijanović, and Karan have shown they are willing to make sacrifices for Republika Srpska. United Srpska leader Nenad Stevandić said Karan will win the early presidential elections because he fully understands how to protect Republika Srpska, like Dodik. "It was Dodik who chose Karan to finish his mandate, and we must support that. On Sunday, we will defeat Schmidt, write him a ticket in one direction, and bid him farewell", Stevandić said. DNS President Nenad Nešić said citizens will elect Karan because, he noted, Republika Srpska is safe with him. DEMOS leader Nedeljko Čubrilović stressed that his party, as a coalition partner, fully supports Karan’s election, as he will continue Dodik’s policies. "Karan is the most suitable person at this difficult time to hold the office of President. Republika Srpska needs the stability that he can provide", Čubrilović said. SPS leader Goran Selak said Banja Luka supports Karan and Dodik’s politics. "We must defend our institutions and demonstrate in the upcoming early elections that by supporting Siniša Karan, we all stand behind our constitutional President Milorad Dodik", Selak said. Socialist Party leader Petar Đokić stressed that Republika Srpska needs stability, security, development policies, and continuity in promoting itself internationally, and that a vote for Karan is a vote to continue such policies. Support for the SNSD candidate also came from the People’s Party of Srpska, whose President Darko Banjac said the Republic President must be responsible and represent unity and Karan is currently the only candidate who can do that.