Description: The Parliament of the autonomous Serb Republic in Bosnia has approved a government reshuffle, primarily initiated by the ousted President, Milorad Dodik. The Serb Republic has named former agriculture minister, Savo Minic, as the new Prime Minister, replacing Radovan Viskovic, who earlier last month resigned from the position as a move to preserve stability in the autonomous republic. Dodik was removed as the Serb Republic’s President by the country’s Election Commission under allegations of refusing to follow instructions from the internationally appointed government in Bosnia and Hercegovina. The Election Commission also scheduled presidential elections for 23 Nov as it aimed to replace Dodik who has also been sentenced to one year imprisonment and banned from politics for six years.
Impact: The political crisis in the Serb Republic further expands with the scheduled presidential elections and the government’s restructuring. Former President Dodik has repeatedly refused to be arrested and defied orders issued by the country’s courts and the internationally appointed governmental body while also increasing separatist narrative. The independent actions by the political and judicial bodies in the Serb Republic could potentially widen the gap with the government in the Federal republic in Bosnia and Hercegovina as Dodik has consistently insisted for the Serb Republic to secede from Bosnia. The domestic instability in Bosnia and Hercegovina could morph with the ongoing political crisis in Serbia which could have regional ramifications, as Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vucic has consistently supported Dodik’s separatist sentiments.