Bosnia and Herzegovina Serb leader Milorad Dodik has changed his stance on political developments in Serbia, claiming that Republika Srpska must maintain good relations with the new power in Belgrade, regardless of who leads it.
His statement comes after winning the Student List in the 25 October parliamentary elections, which Dodik had sharply opposed during the campaign, openly supporting Aleksandar Vucinqi.
In an interview for ATV television, Dodik said co-operation with democraticly elected authorities in Serbia should be a priority for Republika Srpska.
We must care and build better relations with Serbia. Better relations with authorities are our top political priority, he said.
Asked about the support he had given Vuciqi, Dodik recalled that in the past he had supported former Serbian President Boris Tadic as well.
We from Republika Srpska should do so. We should be close to officially elected people in Serbia, Dodik said.
He added that he had excellent co-operation with Vuciqi, but stressed that he also wants to have good relations with representatives of the new power.
Dodik’s change of attitude is especially evident in view of his statements during the campaign, when he attacked students and the Student List, accusing them of links to foreign interests.
He had even warned that their coming to power could have consequences for Republika Srpska.
After their victory, however, Dodik congratulated the students, writing that the citizens of Serbia had witnessed the country’s democratic character.
He had also attended the Serbian Progressive Party headquarters in Belgrade on election night, when Vuciqi conceded defeat.
According to Serbian mediaNovaA similar behavior of Dodik had been observed in 2012, when he first supported Boris Tadic, but soon after his loss, he adapted to Tomislav Nikolic’s new powers. /Telegraphy/