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Republika Srpska will be independent! Dodik: My political battle will never end
https://informer.rs/politika/vesti/1056519/milorad-dodik-rs-bih
Milorad Dodik is a constant topic in Serbian pro-government media, and it can be said that no other political figure from the region receives as much coverage in Serbia as the former president of Republika Srpska. In recent months, Dodik has been in the public spotlight mainly because he is on the U.S. sanctions list and because his presidential mandate was revoked based on a final decision of the Appellate Division of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At the end of August this year, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina called early elections for the president of Republika Srpska, scheduled for November 23, 2025. Dodik has opposed this decision from the start and has repeatedly criticized the opposition in Republika Srpska for refusing to boycott the elections or agree to form a government of national unity, even though the ruling coalition was willing to offer the opposition the position of prime minister in that government.
He subsequently announced a referendum on the implementation of the CEC’s decision. The question, he said at a press conference, would be: “Do you accept the decisions of the unelected foreigner Christian Schmidt and the rulings of the unconstitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina made against the President of Republika Srpska, as well as the CEC’s decision to revoke the mandate of President Milorad Dodik?” It is important to note that such a referendum would not be in line with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which does not allow entities to independently hold referendums on decisions of state institutions. In addition to this referendum, Dodik has traditionally also announced a referendum on the secession of Republika Srpska, which he has reportedly brought up nearly 50 times since 2006, according to the Klix portal.
However, although Dodik firmly stated that the early elections were illegal and that all issues in Republika Srpska would be resolved through the announced referendums, his party nevertheless nominated a candidate for the presidential elections to be held in late November — the current Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of RS, Siniša Karan. It is well known that the Republika Srpska leader often “changes his positions overnight,” making it unlikely that the referendum will take place at all.
Furthermore, his contradictions are evident when he speaks about the Dayton Agreement, which he references in every speech, calling for its respect, while at the same time declaring: “Bosnia and Herzegovina is an unsustainable country that must cease to exist. For 30 years, it has given no reason for its existence… Our real life is Republika Srpska, which will one day be independent. I am convinced of that, which is why my political struggle continues and will never end,” Dodik said, as reported by Informer.
The question remains as to how events will unfold in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will largely be determined by the elections on November 23. In any case, whoever wins and takes Dodik’s place will remain there for only one year, as general elections will be held next year at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, elections are not a stabilizing factor in the country, which faces much deeper challenges and problems. One of them is certainly religious affiliation, which is often reflected in Dodik’s statements.
“These elections were not requested by anyone in Republika Srpska, not even the opposition. These elections were imposed by the Muslims together with the foreigners. This is a confrontation of the Muslims with us Christians; a confrontation that has abused the judiciary,” said the SNSD leader. Nationalistic and religious narratives in Bosnia and Herzegovina are so entrenched that it is difficult to imagine a sustainable solution for the country. A climate of deep social polarization is being created, where every form of interference is seen as an external threat and a violation of national interests. The first step toward overcoming this situation should be a change in the media narrative to create space for dialogue and for addressing the political crisis.
Author: Nataša Stanojević
