Final public discussion on the Draft Constitution of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka

A final public discussion on the Draft Constitution of the Republic of Srpska was held in Banja Luka today, attended by the highest officials, the President of the Republic Milorad Dodik and the President of the National Assembly, Dr. Nenad Stevandic.

The discussion was also attended by the Serbian member and Chairperson of the Presidency of BiH, Zeljka Cvijanovic, numerous dignitaries from the public, scientific, social and political life of the Republic of Srpska, as well as a large number of citizens.

The public discussion in Banski Dvor was coordinated by the Chairman of the Working Group for the Drafting of the New Constitution, Vitomir Popovic.

The President of the National Assembly of the Republic Srpska, Dr. Nenad Stevandic, said that the working group for drafting the constitution of Republic Srpska will be tasked with preparing the manner in which the constitution will be adopted, and that he is particularly pleased that the Draft Constitution has been circulated throughout the entire territory of Republic of Srpska and that there were almost no negative comments during the discussions.

“We are concluding the public discussion, which has been held in seven cities so far. Banja Luka is the eighth. The public discussion was held at the Universities of East Sarajevo and Banja Luka, at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. There were three expert meetings in the National Assembly, related to the support of the constitution,” said Stevandic.

The President of the Working Group for Drafting the New Constitution, Vitomir Popovic, said that all the places where the public discussions were held were fully visited.

We had a certain number of questions, proposals, and suggestions, which were very useful. Tonight we will start analysing everything we have received so far in the public discussion. I hope that we will complete this part in the best possible way within the stipulated deadlines - emphasizes Popovic.

Serb member and Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljka Cvijanovic stated that it is important that the Republic of Srpska obtains a democratic constitution that will maintain the essence of what it is and what it wants to be in the future.

"It is important that we have a modern constitution, which will be democratic," Cvijanovic told reporters in Banja Luka before the final discussion on the Draft of the new Constitution of the Republic of Srpska.

She stated that these are activities that require a lot of attention and expertise.

"I am sure that this will be the result of the joint work of people who have worked dedicatedly on drafting the text and are collecting the opinions of citizens and the expert public, which is particularly important here," said Cvijanovic.

The President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, said that he agreed, if such a decision is made, that the new constitution of Srpska would be decided in a referendum that would be binding.

Dodik stressed that this is not a constitution that will be changed every year, but will last and prove the durability of the Republic of Srpska.

He stated that during the public discussions, there were many requests for it to be a people's document, and that he agreed with that, if such a decision is made by the commission and the political leadership.

"We are ready to support the idea of ​​holding a referendum, but it should be binding. It is not just a game that should show a general commitment, but it should be a people's decision that will be confirmed by the National Assembly," said Dodik.

The National Assembly of the Republic Srpska adopted a decision on March 13 to establish the Draft Constitution of the Republic of Srpska.

The parliamentary Committee for Constitutional Affairs was responsible for organizing and conducting the public discussion, which is obliged to, after the public discussion, establish the draft constitution of the Republic of Srpska and submit it to the National Assembly.