Bosnian parliament fails to amend constitution
Bosnian lawmakers tonight delivered a stunning blow to the country’s main parties by failing to endorse constitutional amendments by the required two-thirds majority. 26 deputies voted in favor, 16 against, mostly the now dominant HDZ splinter group “HDZ 1990″ but also deputies from the Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) Party for BiH and apparently at least one member of the Bosniak SDA.
It will be interesting to see what course those who rejected the amendments because they didn’t go far enough will now recommend. If modest reform cannot happen, why would radical reform fare any better?
It will also be interesting to see the reaction of those who claim Bosnia’s political establishment is fully capable of governing the country without outside pressure. This appeared hardly like a demonstration of “local ownership,” at least not in any meaningful way.
Seems like a deep crisis…since the reasons for rejecting the amendments are diametrically opposite.
What do you think they will recommend?
Comment by Heleen — April 27, 2006 @ 10:18 am
Heleen — I don’t necessarily think it’s a deeep crisis because I didn’t feel the amendments were that critical one way or another. But the decision sends a strong signal that Bosnia, or at least its elected representatives, isn’t ready for more sweeping reform. I find it very unlikely that anything can still happen before the October election because any change would need to enter into force six months prior to the election.
The whole affair also highlights the limitations of “facilitation” and “mediation” under current conditions. I personally believe that a fairly robust international engagement is still needed, but the current High Rep doesn’t agree with that and the EU doesn’t care about constitutional issues — indeed, politics — too much, instead focusing on technical matters.
The big winners are the RS parties. They get to keep RS with all its current powers, look good to their constituents for standing up on some issues such as the rotating presidency, and managed to appear as constructive interlocutors of the internationals. Well done!
Comment by T K Vogel — April 29, 2006 @ 7:53 am