Bosnian presidency accepts Špirić resignation

The Bosnia-Hercegovina Presidency has accepted the resignation of RS representative Nikola Spiric. The government has officially fallen as a result. Bosnian presidency accepts Spiric resignation The Republic of Srpska (RS) representative and president of the Council of Ministers took the decision to resign following High Representative Miroslav Lajcak’s recent measures to alter the decision-making process within that institution. In line with its current powers, the Presidency will launch moves to appoint a replacement. The first step is consultation with political parties. The Presidency declined to discuss the resignation at the beginning of November, explaining that they would do so following talks with Spiric. Yesterday, the Presidency attempted unsuccessfully to persuade him to remain in his post. Presidency member Haris Silajdzic felt that it would have been good for the country if Spiric had changed his mind. “However, Dr. Spiric insisted on resigning,“ he said. As a result, the search for a replacement begins today, and, by law, must be completed within a month. “The Presidency’s decision is to launch a consultation procedure with the parties to rebuild the Council of Ministers,“ explained Silajdzic. The parties must now agree on a new Council president, and it is possible that Spiric may be re-elected, though no-one wished to comment on this eventuality. Neither, at the meeting, was the issue of early elections seriously considered, even though it is a real possibility, given the recent turn of events. Nikola Spiric (FoNet, archive)

Bosnian presidency accepts Špirić resignation

The Republic of Srpska (RS) representative and president of the Council of Ministers took the decision to resign following High Representative Miroslav Lajčak’s recent measures to alter the decision-making process within that institution. In line with its current powers, the Presidency will launch moves to appoint a replacement. The first step is consultation with political parties.

The Presidency declined to discuss the resignation at the beginning of November, explaining that they would do so following talks with Špirić.

Yesterday, the Presidency attempted unsuccessfully to persuade him to remain in his post. Presidency member Haris Silajdžić felt that it would have been good for the country if Špirić had changed his mind. “However, Dr. Špirić insisted on resigning,“ he said.

As a result, the search for a replacement begins today, and, by law, must be completed within a month. “The Presidency’s decision is to launch a consultation procedure with the parties to rebuild the Council of Ministers,“ explained Silajdžić.

The parties must now agree on a new Council president, and it is possible that Špirić may be re-elected, though no-one wished to comment on this eventuality. Neither, at the meeting, was the issue of early elections seriously considered, even though it is a real possibility, given the recent turn of events.