In a meeting today [6 August], Bosnia’s election watchdog (CIK) has passed down an order removing Milorad Dodik, until now President of Republika Srpska – a Serbian autonomous region within Bosnia.
In the session held earlier today, commissioners confirmed an order terminating Dodik’s term in office.
As a result Dodik is no longer federally recognised as President of Republika Srpska (RS) and, in the eyes of the Bosnian central Government, his office is now vacant.
However, practically speaking, Dodik remains in charge of the levers of Government in RS, including the region’s autonomous paramilitary forces.
Following the judgement, Dodik expressed his anger on social media platform Twitter/X, calling it “another piece of crap from Sarajevo”. The strongman also stated: “When I was sworn as Republika Srpska’s President, I swore to protect state secrets, perform my duties, defend and represent the interests of RS citizens, to uphold the Constitution and laws of BiH and RS. CIK was not mentioned.”
Milorad Dodik served as the president of RS for XX years within but was sentenced last Friday for defying the order of Bosnia’s High Representative to the region back in July 2023.
Since that sentencing Dodik has received messages of support from his allies: Hungary and Serbia. Hungarian president and ally Viktor Orbán received Dodik in Budapest yesterday, accusing the EU of an “unacceptable globalist agenda”.
Hungarian MFA Péter Szijjártó also publicly declared his support through an official post on Twitter/X, insisting that it is “in Hungary’s national security to have stability in the Western Balkans”, to which he added that “any foreign interference is harmful and dangerous”.
Hungary has been Republika Srpska’s most important foreign investor, having contributed through financial aid to the completion of energy and infrastructure projects worth over €100m.
Further south, Dodik’s Serbian allies have also condemned this morning’s move, with ex-PM Miloš Vučević, describing it as “a shameful act and an attack against the Serbian people” in an Instagram post. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić also assured that “Dodik is always welcome on Serbian territory”, confirming he would not be arrested if he were to visit, following the question of a journalist last Monday.
Bosnian Croats however overwhelmingly supported CIK’s decision, with Democratic Front chairman Željko Komšić calling it “a step forward”. Bosniak politicians echoed this sentiment, with MP Denis Bećirović insisting that “Dodik is not above the law”, saluting the decision of CIK.
As for Bosnian Serbs, reactions have been mixed according to party affiliations. Dodik’s Party, SNSD, claimed it was an attack against Bosnian Serb politicians, and assured he would appeal the decision as soon as possible. On the other hand opposition parties within RS have welcomed the decision.
