Radislav Dončić, a lawmaker from the People’s Front (NF) in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (NSRS), said RS President Milorad Dodik is playing a “very dangerous game” by announcing overnight amendments to the entity’s constitution.
Dončić stressed he would not take part in such a process. “How can a public debate on such an important issue last only 15-20 days? There are things in the RS Constitution that need changing, but this requires time, not rushed decisions overnight,” he told Srpskainfo, adding that Dodik has already led RS into serious problems.
Igor Crnadak of the opposition Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) said in an interview with Klix Studio that unilaterally adopting a new constitution would mark “the end of the Dayton Agreement.”
“Tampering with or unraveling Dayton would be least beneficial for Republika Srpska and its people. That’s why I would be extremely cautious,” he said.
To amend the RS Constitution, a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and approval from a majority of members in the RS Council of Peoples—representing each of the three constituent ethnic groups—is required. The ruling SNSD and its allies lack such a majority and would need opposition votes.
The ruling coalition currently holds 53 out of 83 seats, meaning they cannot push constitutional changes through without opposition support.
Opposition parties, including the NF, SDS, PDP, and the Justice and Order List, have refused to cooperate with Dodik while he “uses institutions and the people” to shield himself from legal troubles, they say.
One of Dodik’s key goals is to remove the RS Council of Peoples, which serves as a safeguard for vital national interests.
