Early this morning the RS National Assembly elected a new Government. As a result, the constitutional crisis that developed in the RS throughout last summer has been resolved through the democratic process. The people of the RS exercised their democratic rights in electing a new National Assembly in November. This has in its turn, and entirely in accordance with the RS Constitution, elected a legitimate government that will represent the whole entity. This is a government of unity and not of division.
The Republika Srpska now has a democratically elected Government without the SDS or the Radicals. The High Representative , who with his Senior Deputy remained in the assembly throughout the proceedings, called on both parties not to disengage from the parliamentary process or to try and disrupt the work of the new government. He stressed that there must be a smooth transition from the old government to the new one and that the SDS and the Radicals should continue to take their seats in the new legitimately constituted National Assembly.
The International Community stands ready to provide all the assistance it can to help with the process of building a viable economy in the RS. Constructive engagement in the Dayton process will bring tangible rewards and the process of reconstruction will be able to begin in earnest.
Last night the International Community were able to support the RS leadership in maintaining the constitutional process. The representatives of the people of the RS have made their own decision. As a result the RS will now have a government that promises to act in the interests of the people and lead them on the path towards lasting peace and prosperity.