Description: The Parliament of the Serb Republic, one of the semi – autonomous regions in Bosnia and Hercegovina has appointed Ana Trisic Babic as the republic’s interim President after Milorad Dodik’s ban from politics earlier this year. Babic’s appointment is the first indication that the country is moving away from months of political tensions and separatist sentiments incited by the former leader. The US Department of Treasury previously lifted the sanctions on four of Dodik’s closest political allies which was interpreted as a sign of good faith in the democratic development of the federation. No immediate reactions were solicitated from Dodik and his SNSD (Alliance of Independent Social Democrats) party which still holds the majority in the government of the Serb Republic. Babic would serve as the interim President until the Nov election, with Dodik nominating Sinisa Karan to become the country’s new President.
Impact: Bosnia’s political crisis would further untangle with the Nov election, while the appointment of an interim President only temporarily decreases the political divisions in the semi – autonomous Serb Republic. Dodik has so far rejected calls from the international community to step aside and intensified the separatist narrative on the back of support from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The crisis would persist at least until the Nov election which would most definitely be mired by controversies considering the region’s historic aspect. The prospects of revived ethnic and separatist tensions are currently low, however, Dodik’s party still controls the majority of the region’s government which indicates high probability for renewed political tensions and instability in the upcoming month.