Lawmakers from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Serb-majority region have instructed Serb representatives in state institutions to block key decision-making and legislative changes needed for the country’s European Union membership. This decision was made during an emergency session linked to the trial of Milorad Dodik, the leader of the Serb Republic, who faces prosecution in the country’s state court for defying the orders of the international peace envoy, Christian Schmidt, Schengen.News reports.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, as established by the Dayton Agreement that ended the 1990s ethnic conflict, is divided into two autonomous entities: the Serb Republic and a Federation predominantly comprising Croats and Bosniaks. These entities are connected by a weak central government, which operates under the supervision of an international high representative—currently Schmidt, who has held the position since 2021.
The Serb Republic lawmakers have argued that Dodik’s trial is politically motivated, accusing Schmidt of making irregular decisions. They also claim that the court and prosecution involved are unconstitutional, as they were established by the peace envoy rather than through the Dayton Agreement.
EU and US Condemnation of Serb Parliament’s Actions
The European Union delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly condemned the actions of the Serb parliament, calling it a significant threat to the country’s constitutional order. The joint statement from the EU Delegation, the EU Special Representative, and the Embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy reaffirmed their commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and multiethnic composition.
The statement emphasized that the Serb parliament’s recent actions undermine the authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s state-level institutions and jeopardize the country’s progress on its Euro-Atlantic path. Furthermore, the EU and allied countries reiterated their support for the High Representative, affirming that he holds the final authority on the civilian aspects of the Dayton Agreement under Annex X. The statement clarified that neither of the country’s entities has the right to challenge the primacy of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national laws or institutions.
