Republika Srpska (RS) prime minister-designate Savo Minić on Monday unveiled his cabinet, which excludes the Democratic Alliance (DEMOS) of former transport and communications minister Nedeljko Čubrilović.
Local media reported that Čubrilović, who was assured by coalition partners he would remain in office until Bosnia’s 2026 general elections, was informed late on Sunday that he would not be part of the new cabinet. The move marks another setback for DEMOS, which recently lost three lawmakers and now holds only two seats in the RS assembly.
The new government, whose legality is disputed by legal experts and opposition parties, will be dominated by the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) of Milorad Dodik, holding 11 of the 16 ministries.
The Socialist Party (SP) of Petar Đokić secured two ministries, while one each went to United Srpska (US) of Nenad Stevandić, the Socialist Party of Srpska (SPS) led by Goran Selak, and the coalition of the People’s Party of Srpska (NPS) and the Democratic People’s Alliance (DNS).
Among SNSD appointees are Zora Vidović (finance), Željko Budimir (interior), Zlatan Klokić (European integration), Siniša Karan (science and higher education), Borivoje Golubović (education and culture), Alen Šeranić (health), Vojin Mitrović (economy), Anđelka Kuzmić (agriculture), Zoran Stevanović (transport), Denis Šulić (trade and tourism) and Danijel Egić (labour and veterans’ affairs).
SP will control the energy and mining ministry (Đokić) and the family, youth and sports portfolio (Selma Čabrić). US will oversee spatial planning and environment (Bojan Vipotnik). SPS leader Selak will serve as justice minister, while Senka Јujić of NPS will head the local government ministry.
The assembly in Banja Luka is holding a special session to confirm the cabinet led by Minić, who previously served as agriculture minister. He was nominated by Dodik after long-serving premier Radovan Višković resigned on Aug. 22.
Dodik no longer has the authority to nominate a prime minister, after Bosnia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) revoked his mandate as RS president on Aug. 6. The CEC acted on a final court ruling sentencing Dodik to one year in prison and banning him from office for six years for failing to implement decisions of international envoy Christian Schmidt.
Despite this, the RS assembly rejected the CEC’s decision, urged Dodik to continue acting as president and dismissed the prospect of early elections. The ruling coalition has scheduled a referendum for Oct. 25, asking voters whether to accept the decisions of Schmidt, the state court and the CEC – including the ruling against Dodik.
Opposition parties warn the move pushes the entity into breaches of Bosnia’s constitutional order.