The Prime Minister of the Serbian entity resigns to open the way to a government of “national union”

The Prime Minister of the Serbian Bosnia Entity, Radovan Viskovic, resigned on Monday, August 18, paving the way to the formation of a government of« union nationale »in the midst of a crisis due to the trial against the political leader of Bosnia Serbs, Milorad Dodik, who once again brandished the threat of a “Independence referendum”.

A court of appeal from Sarajevo, seized by a lawyer by Milorad Dodik, confirmed on Monday the formal decision of the Bosnian electoral commission to fall off the president of the Republika Srpska (RS, Serbian entity of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Milorad Dodik, 66, who has undoubtedly directed the RS since 2006, had been sentenced on 1^is August, on appeal, by a court of Sarajevo to one year in prison and to six years of ineligibility – a judgment to which he refuses to submit. He was found guilty of non-compliance with the decisions of the High International Representative, Christian Schmidt, who is responsible for enforcing the peace agreement in the country signed almost thirty years ago. Milorad Dodik is the first Bosnian leader sentenced to this offense, new since the change in 2023 of the Bosnian penal code from the high representative.

Refusal of opposition parties

In the wake of the announcement of the judgment on appeal, Milorad Dodik had called for the formation of a government of« union nationale » to answer “Political way” to his trial, carried out, according to him, with the objective of the“Eliminate political life”.

“We have decided to elect a new government in Republika Srpska”said Radovan Viskovic, Prime Minister of the Serbian entity referred to in the US sanctions for the Dayston Agreement by its political actions by its political actions. He will not be part of this new government.

Speaking in Banja Luka, in the north of the country, the capital of the RS, alongside the president, Radovan Viskovic, in office since 2018, explained that his departure was his « contribution » to the implementation of“A wider consensus in RS”. RS opposition parties refused the appeal to join a government of« union nationale ». “We are united and continue to work there. It’s a crucial moment for us ”said Milorad Dodik on Monday, announcing a cabinet “Consolidated” et “Capable of responding to challenges”.

Announcement of a referendum

Bosnia is divided into two entities, the RS and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, linked by a central government. The electoral commission must now convene early elections, which must take place within 90 days, to elect a new president of the entity.

Milorad Dodik avoided serving his prison sentence by converting her into a day-long, paying around 19,000 euros. He already said in early August that he would not abandon his position as president of the Serbian entity, and announced the holding of a referendum to ask the residents of the RS if he had to withdraw after the decision of the courts. He said on Monday that this referendum would be organized at the end of September, but also that he would not allow the organization of an RS ballot to elect his successor.

And he again mentioned the possibility of a “Independence referendum” RS, “At the latest 90 days” After the first referendum, in the absence of a discussion on the autonomy of the Serbian entity, according to him reduced by the numerous reforms aimed at strengthening the central state adopted after the war (1992-1995).