Political Turmoil in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Republika Srpska Prime Minister Resigns

The political landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been further destabilized following the resignation of Radovan Viskovic, the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska. This development comes just weeks after the conviction of Milorad Dodik, a prominent leader within the Bosnian Serb community, intensifying the ongoing crisis in the region.

During a press conference with Dodik, Viskovic announced the decision to step down, stating that he hopes to pave the way for a new government that could foster a broader consensus within Republika Srpska. This move aligns with Dodik's recent call for the establishment of a 'national unity' government, which he regards as a necessary political response to the legal challenges he faces.

The turmoil escalated earlier this month when Milorad Dodik was temporarily removed from his position by the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina. His removal followed his conviction for enacting two controversial laws in July 2024, which were designed to obstruct the implementation of decisions made by the High Representative of the United Nations for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A court subsequently upheld Dodik's one-year prison sentence and a six-year ban from holding office. However, he managed to avoid imprisonment by paying a fine. The legal proceedings will now determine whether he will permanently lose his presidential position. Despite these challenges, Dodik continues to assert his legitimacy as the president of Republika Srpska and has plans to hold a referendum regarding his policies by the end of September.

In addition to his legal troubles, Dodik is also under investigation for various allegations, including activities deemed unconstitutional. His refusal to acknowledge the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, which resulted in the deaths of over 8,000 Muslim men and boys, as an act of genocide, further complicates his political standing, as this denial is criminalized under Bosnian law.

The division within Bosnia and Herzegovina dates back to the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, which established two semi-autonomous regions: the Republika Srpska, primarily inhabited by Bosnian Serbs, and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is predominantly Croatian and Muslim. These regions operate with their own governments and parliaments, connected only by a weak central authority.

Observers consider the current political crisis to be the most severe since the Bosnian War, which lasted from 1992 to 1995. Dodik has characterized the legal actions against him as politically motivated, inciting mass protests among his supporters in response to the court's verdict.