The EU Delegation in Bosnia welcomed on Wednesday the adoption of amendments to the election law that enable the city of Mostar to hold its first local election in 12 years, but also urged authorities to secure the funds for holding the 2020 local election immediately.
“We warmly welcome today’s adoption of the amendments to the BiH Election Law, finally enabling the holding of Mostar municipal elections. Holding these elections is included among the 14 key priorities of the Commission’s Opinion on the EU membership application of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the European Union Office statement said.
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It said that the adoption of the amendments demonstrates that political leaders institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina “are able to take ownership, compromise and resolve difficult issues.”
“This spirit should guide future reform efforts on electoral reform,” it said.
The EU Delegation urged political leaders to “fully address Opinion key priorities for Bosnia and Herzegovina to progress on its EU accession path” and reminded that no legislative or political steps should be taken that would make the implementation of a European Court of Human Rights ruling in the Sejdic-Finci case and rulings by Bosnia’s Constitutional Court more challenging.
“Finally, we note that postponing the adoption of the 2020 State budget by the BiH Parliamentary Assembly might have implications on the holding of elections as announced. Therefore we call upon the authorities to immediately secure the necessary funds for the holding of the 2020 local elections throughout the country,” the statement concluded.
