Stop state money: Schmidt takes tough action against Dodik and RS!

Stop state money: Schmidt takes tough action against Dodik and RS!

On April 25, 2025, it was announced that the disbursements of state funds to the SNSD (Serbian Democratic Party) and United Srpska had been stopped. This decision by the High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, was announced on Thursday in Sarajevo. This measure aims to counter separatist movements in the Serbian part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which have recently increased.

In 2024, the SNSD received over two million convertible marks (approximately one million euros) from the state budget, while United Srpska received 395,141 convertible marks (approximately 202,000 euros). For background: The average salary in Bosnia in January 2024 was 1,328 convertible marks (679 euros). These financial resources therefore represent significant support for the separatist views of Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska, who does not recognize Schmidt's legitimacy.

Legal conflicts and security situation

Dodik is currently facing legal problems because arrest warrants were issued against him, the Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska Radovan Višković and the Speaker of Parliament Nenad Stevandić in March for attacks on the constitutional order of Bosnia-Herzegovina. These political tensions escalated further when an attempt to arrest Dodik by the state police unit SIPA failed on Wednesday evening due to resistance from loyal RS police officers.

In addition, the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is extremely tense. Milorad Dodik is being convicted not only for his separatist laws aimed at separating Republika Srpska from the state as a whole, but also for his denial of the Srebrenica genocide. This event, in which more than 8,000 Muslims were murdered in 1995, has left deep wounds in the region to this day.

International reactions and future developments

The international reaction to Dodik's actions is worrying. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Dodik's plans as a threat to the security and stability of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Balkan expert Vedran Dzihic argued that Dodik relied on the wrong support from the new US government, which turned out to be a misjudgment. In response to the rising tensions, the EU military mission Eufor announced a “temporary reinforcement” of its forces; around 1,500 soldiers from 24 countries, including up to 50 Germans, are currently deployed.

In addition, NATO plans for its Secretary General Mark Rutte to travel to Sarajevo. The EU delegation has called for a de-escalation of the situation. Amid this unstable situation, the Srebrenica Memorial Center remains closed until further notice while an international day of remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide has been scheduled in 2024. In the wake of these events, the Memorial Center called on the state leadership to ensure the safety of all citizens, starting in Srebrenica.