Republic of Srpska Parliament Moves to Abolish High Representative's Office
Republic of Srpska’s parliament votes to close High Representative’s office
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The parliament of the Republic of Srpska has voted to abolish the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 57 out of 60 lawmakers supporting the resolution. This move calls on the UN Security Council to terminate the high representative's mandate, reflecting ongoing tensions regarding governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- 01The resolution to abolish the High Representative's office received support from 57 out of 60 lawmakers in the Republic of Srpska's parliament.
- 02The High Representative's role was established under the Dayton Agreement of 1995, which ended the Bosnian War and created a complex governance structure.
- 03The legitimacy of the current High Representative, Hans Christian Schmidt, has been questioned due to his appointment without UN Security Council approval.
- 04Milorad Dodik, a leader in the Republic of Srpska, indicated plans to limit the mandate of Schmidt's successor to two years.
- 05The Republic of Srpska is one of two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting the ethnic and political complexities in the region.
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On May 26, 2023, the parliament of the Republic of Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution to abolish the Office of the High Representative. This decision was supported by 57 of the 60 lawmakers present during the session. The resolution urges the UN Security Council to terminate the mandate of the High Representative and close the office, a role established by the Dayton Agreement in 1995 to oversee governance in the ethnically divided country. The current High Representative, Hans Christian Schmidt, has faced legitimacy challenges after his appointment in 2021, which did not receive prior approval from the UN Security Council. Schmidt announced his resignation on May 10, 2023, but will remain in office until a successor is appointed. Milorad Dodik, a prominent Bosnian Serb leader, has expressed intentions to limit the successor's term to two years, reflecting ongoing political tensions within Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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The decision to abolish the High Representative's office could significantly alter governance dynamics in Bosnia and Herzegovina, potentially leading to increased autonomy for the Republic of Srpska.
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