High Representative Valentin Inzko today issued a Decision annulling the appointment of a new cantonal government by the West Herzegovina Canton Assembly, until such time as the regular OHR vetting procedure is completed.
The Assembly’s action of 27 August circumvented the established and longstanding procedure, under which candidates are vetted before appointments are made. The Decision issued today by the High Representative corrects this circumvention of the practiced procedures and does not affect the non-confidence vote of 4 August, which has been challenged before Constitutional Court of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“This is a technical Decision based on the principle of consistency, which will also provide the legal clarity needed to calm the situation in Canton 8” the High Representative noted when issuing the Decision. “I have remained consistent with Decisions issued by my predecessors when faced with the same situation. I would point out that in 2007 appointments made to the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina were annulled for the same reason, while in 2006 the Canton 8 Government being formed by Zvonko Jurisic waited until the OHR had completed the prescribed vetting procedure before appointing the government. There is no reason to apply different standards today” concluded High Representative.
The vetting procedure has been initiated and will be completed as soon as possible and no later than 9 September 2010.