Dragan Čović, leader of the Croat Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH), has called for respect for the rule of law following the final conviction of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.
“The respect of judicial verdicts is fundamental to any functioning society,” Čović said in a post on social media platform X, after Bosnia’s State Court confirmed a one-year prison sentence and a six-year political ban for Dodik.
Čović’s party is part of the state-level coalition with Dodik’s Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD). Despite the partnership, Čović used the occasion to urge for political responsibility and stability.
“We need wisdom and dialogue to overcome challenges and build Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European future,” he said.
Dodik was found guilty of refusing to implement decisions of the international High Representative, Christian Schmidt — a move the court ruled violated Bosnia’s constitutional order.
The ruling sparked a wave of reactions from both domestic and international actors. Dodik rejected the decision, calling it politically motivated, while his party announced it would resist implementation of what it called an “illegal sentence”.
The Court’s verdict includes a six-year ban on Dodik from holding public office, which under Bosnia’s election law, would end his current mandate once formally enforced by the Central Election Commission.
The case has added further strain to Bosnia’s already fragile political climate, with some parties warning of potential unrest if the verdict is not respected.