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The leaders of the three communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina agree to reform the Constitution

 
The main Muslim, Serb and Croat parties have officially asked the Parliament of the country to start the adoption of constitutional reforms with a view to strengthen central institutions and rearrange the territorial organization · These are key conditions for Bosnia’s aspiration to EU membership.

The main parties of Bosnia and Herzegovina have agreed this week to reform the Constitution with the aim of finishing off the political instability the country has gone through since the end of the devastating war fought between 1992 and 1995. The Muslim Party of Democratic Action (SDA), the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), from Republic of Srpska and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) have announced after several meetings that they will request the Bosnian Parliament to initiate a process to change the Constitution.

The process might take a long time before it comes true, but it could open the way to further mutual understanding between the two federated political entities (Republic of Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, consisting of Muslim and Croatian territories). Another long-term goal is to smooth the path for EU membership. The process of EU accession started with the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement earlier this year. However, European authorities have stated on multiple occasions that the current Constitution does not meet the conditions imposed by the EU.

Once the Parliament gives green light to set up a constitutional commission to amend the text, the reform will be aimed, among other actions, at giving more consideration to the central administration and revising other administrative divisions and government bodies. It is likely that both the Republic of Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina will see their powers reduced.

According to RFE/RL, Bosnia's three ethnic party officials reached an agreement several months ago to unify the police forces, now consisting of two separate forces. The police reform has not yet been implemented due to restrictions in the current Constitution.

Even though parties of the three ethnic communities gave their consent to the agreement, it remains to be seen whether the reform will move forward as soon as it brings up other sensitive issues. The Republic of Srpska's Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik (SNSD), has shown reluctance to accept the transfer of powers from Banja Luka to Sarajevo.

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