All Bosnia govt levels halt funding for Dodik's party following OHR order

The Office of the High Representative (OHR) confirmed to Radio Free Europe that municipal, cantonal, entity, and state institutions have ceased public financing for both parties, in accordance with Schmidt’s April 24 decision. All funds intended for the SNSD and United Srpska are now being redirected to a special account opened by the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Those responsible for executing budgets, including banks, are legally obliged to enforce the decision and report all transfers to the OHR.

Schmidt said the measure would remain in force until the “anti-Dayton activities” of the ruling RS coalition cease. He accused the two parties of persistently using Republika Srpska institutions to undermine the state’s authority, incite citizens to commit criminal acts, and threaten sanctions against those who resist their agenda.

The suspension applies across all parliaments and assemblies, including the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, the Federation Parliament, the RS National Assembly, all cantonal, city, and municipal bodies, and the Brčko District Assembly.

According to financial disclosures, SNSD received over 2 million Bosnian marks (approx. € 1 million) in public funding in 2024, while United Srpska received more than 395,000 marks (approx. € 202,000).

Dodik, United Srpska leader Nenad Stevandic (also Speaker of the RS Assembly), and RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic are all suspects in a case concerning an attack on the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A central warrant for their detention was issued in March after they ignored summonses from the BiH Prosecutor’s Office.

Dodik was also convicted in February and sentenced to one year in prison and a six-year ban from political office for refusing to implement decisions by the High Representative and signing laws annulled by Schmidt. The day after the verdict, the RS Assembly passed a law banning the work of key state-level judicial and security institutions in the RS—an act the BiH Constitutional Court temporarily blocked on March 7.