On Wednesday 2 May, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn urged the Bosnian political leaders to reach an agreement on electoral reform, ahead of a new negotiations meeting.
"We expect the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach a compromise" (on the arrangements of the electoral legislation following the recent rulings of the constitutional court) "without further delay, in the best interest of their country", Mogherini and Hahn stated in a joint press release. These rulings focus on representation in the House of Peoples of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. According to Mogherini and Hahn, "if the results of the general election (in October) cannot be implemented, the formation of a new government could be at risk".
The two European leaders believe that the ongoing facilitation efforts by EU and US ambassadors to Bosnia and Herzegovina have provided a framework conducive to a solution being found.
Mogherini and Hahn also said they hope the Central Election Commission will exercise its mandate in an independent and professional manner. "The holding of elections and the implementation of their results, including proper functioning of the institutions, is a fundamental democratic requirement for any country aspiring to join the European Union. Holding the future election results hostage to party interests is not an option", Mogherini and Hahn warned. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)