The government of Republika Srpska, Bosnia’s Serb entity, is facing a major reshuffle after Prime Minister Radovan Višković resigned on Monday, leaving President Milorad Dodik to chart the next steps in an escalating political showdown with Sarajevo and international overseers.
Višković, who has served nearly seven years, gave no reason for stepping down but insisted he was leaving behind “a stable Republika Srpska.” Flanked by Dodik at a press conference in Banja Luka, he wished his successor success.
The move comes just days after Dodik called for a “national unity government” following his conviction for ignoring orders from Bosnia’s foreign-imposed High Representative, Christian Schmidt. Dodik, widely seen as the true leader of the Bosnian Serbs, has rejected Schmidt’s authority as illegitimate because his appointment was never approved by the UN Security Council.
Although banned from office and fined after avoiding a prison term, Dodik continues to defy central institutions. He has vowed to block elections called by the electoral commission and instead hold referendums. The first, in September, will ask citizens if he should remain in office. Dodik has also warned that if greater autonomy is not restored, Republika Srpska will stage a full independence vote.
