Dodik and Čović maintain significant power in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s complex politics, hindering reforms despite setbacks.
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Milorad Dodik, a proponent of secessionist politics in Republika Srpska (RS) within Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), remains a significant political force despite being ousted from the RS presidency and banned from elected office. He maintains considerable power through his leadership of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) and plans to bolster this by appealing to nationalist sentiment internationally. The complex, nationalistic political structure of BiH allows figures like Dodik to act as veto points, hindering reforms. A parallel example is Dragan Čović, whose control over the Croat political sphere via the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) makes his assent essential for any major decision concerning Croat interests in BiH. Both leaders can leverage their positions, even from the sidelines, to obstruct the country’s progress. Dodik faces internal challenges, including potential leadership rivals, and must maintain the SNSD’s dominance. His continued influence is bolstered by international support from Belgrade and Moscow, suggesting that those anticipating his downfall should be cautious, as the structure of BiH politics allows such figures to retain pivotal bargaining power.
