MINIĆ: WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED STRENGTH AND RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

BANJA LUKA, MARCH 16 /SRNA/ - Prime Minister Savo Minić, who submitted his resignation today, said at the special session of the National Assembly that this move demonstrates political responsibility toward the citizens, stressing that the government’s activities have not ceased.

“We can function like this in the coming months as well. However, this is a formal step so that we can have a proposer who, with a certificate from the CEC, has nominated the prime minister-designate,” Minić explained in his address. He denied claims that everything was done because of the decisions of the Constitutional Court, which, he said, is not competent to decide on this process. “In agreement with President Milorad Dodik, we decided on this step. After the election of the Government is completed this week, Republika Srpska will be stronger toward international institutions and its citizens. We have shown that we are ready to take this path together with the citizens and preserve the institutions of Republika Srpska,” Minić said. Minić reiterated that he had consulted with the President of Republika Srpska, Siniša Karan, and with MPs of the ruling coalition. “The President will nominate me as prime minister-designate, and I will propose the same government. I have read the exposé. Those 100 days of the government will continue to count. This is continuity and a mature political decision. This morning I informed the National Assembly about my resignation and then continued with my regular activities,” Minić said. He explained that a political maneuver had been made in order to avoid problems, something not understood by those sitting in the part of the National Assembly hall reserved for opposition MPs. “These decisions represent nothing more than a formality through which we will remove arguments from those who want to harm Republika Srpska. Submitting a resignation is not a whim, but a matter of responsibility. It is not about convenience, but about the fact that this is something we should do. We will not allow anyone to use the situation to attack Republika Srpska,” Minić said. Minić added that from the moment the offensive began from political Sarajevo and from the so-called High Representative, authorities in Republika Srpska were aware that they would have to go through a difficult period. “Each time, we had the pieces in place and preserved the legitimacy of the institutions of Republika Srpska,” Minić said. He expressed hope that this political maneuver will demonstrate responsibility toward the institutions and the citizens. “The institutions of Republika Srpska are stable. All payments and everything else will continue regularly. Everything is functioning, and now we have even more arguments and energy. Our goal was for every decision of the Government to have legitimacy. I want to thank the citizens of Republika Srpska and tell them that nothing can stop us now,” Minić said. Earlier today, the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Savo Minić, said that a new government will be elected soon.