Officials from opposition parties in Republika Srpska (RS) believe that the final ruling against Milorad Dodik, the president of that entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), does not jeopardize the existence of RS, stressing that no individual is or should be above it.

Jovica Radulović, the acting president of the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS), mentioned that the party members were not pleased with the verdict against Dodik and had consistently maintained that it was a politically motivated process.

“The prosecution had numerous chances to investigate a variety of criminal activities within RS institutions but chose not to, which is why we lack a rule of law today,” Radulović stated.

He reminded that SDS had previously urged Dodik to resign prior to the final verdict to liberate the institutions from the hostage situation he had caused. “What he continues to do is use the RS institutions as a shield. The verdict does not endanger RS,” Radulović emphasized.

He also expressed hope that the Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) would reconsider its earlier stance of not participating in early elections for the presidency of RS, following Dodik’s conviction and subsequent ban from holding the presidential position.

“The SDS has an official stance from the Main Board that we will present candidates for both the President of RS and the Serb member of the Presidency of BiH, with our own nominees,” Radulović noted.

He added that a session of the SDS Main Board is expected to occur soon to validate this position in consultation with opposition parties.

PDP Vice President Igor Crnadak informed the Sarajevo portal Raport that, following Dodik’s final verdict, he requested the PDP Presidency to reassess their previous decision about not participating in early elections if Dodik was banned from the presidential office.

“It’s true that I requested the annulment of the Presidency’s decision to boycott the elections. I’ve sent a letter. The details are not ready for publication yet,” Crnadak told Raport.

The President of the People’s Front (NF), Jelena Trivić, asserted that “RS is above any politician” and that Dodik does not represent RS, urging all political figures in BiH to pursue peace and rational decisions.

“This judgment from the Court of BiH harms the Serbian people and compromises the constitutional and legal status of RS. Additionally, the long-standing degradation of RS institutions, particularly the National Assembly, which Dodik has subordinated to his own interests, is equally damaging,” Trivić said.

She indicated that the Court of BiH, by ruling against Dodik, has stripped the people of their right to determine their political future, further asserting that Dodik himself has undermined the will of citizens over multiple election cycles.

Trivić also recalled Dodik’s political history, noting that in 1999, as the Prime Minister of RS, Dodik supported and enacted the decision by then High Representative in BiH, Carlos Westendorp, to remove Nikola Poplašen from the presidency of RS.

Stanivuković confirms PDP’s non-participation in early elections

Draško Stanivuković, the president of the opposition Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) and mayor of Banja Luka, reiterated that his party had decided prior to the final judgment against Dodik not to take part in early elections.

“We won’t wait for anyone’s political downfall to seize our opportunities. By preparing for the regular elections ahead of time, we are steering clear of the crisis we unfortunately face now,” Stanivuković remarked.

He stated that Dodik “should depart through the will of the people at the polls, not in this manner.”

“The trial against the President of RS is politically orchestrated. I’ve insisted from the beginning that there should have been no response to the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office, as that would grant legitimacy to an unlawful process,” Stanivuković asserted.

He evaluated that “a hand lacking public support and legitimacy diminishes and nullifies the institution of the RS presidency. Those rejoicing in this verdict, from any national or political angle, celebrate a state devoid of sovereignty, reduced to a colony of Germany, Europe, America, or any others; this is less significant,” he added.

Per the Election Law of BiH, with the enactment of a final ruling prohibiting him from presidential office, Dodik’s term as President of RS will terminate by law.

The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CEC) is then mandated to initiate early elections for the presidency of RS within 90 days. In response, Dodik stated yesterday that he would not permit these elections to occur in RS.

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