Dodik officially steps down as RS President, transfers authority to HDZ vice president

The full text of the decree and the law was published today in the Official Gazette of RS, according to Capital.ba.

The signed decree essentially reveals that the transfer of authority has taken place, as only the RS President can legitimize such a decree. Since Dodik did not sign it and Pranjić did, it confirms that the vice president has now assumed the presidential functions.

It is important to note that, despite repeatedly stating that he does not recognize what he called the “unconstitutional” Court of BiH and would not accept its rulings, Dodik effectively acknowledged the court’s decision when he replaced a one-year prison sentence with a monetary fine of 36,500 KM to avoid imprisonment.

At the same time, Dodik contested the CEC’s decision to revoke his mandate. However, with Pranjic signing the decree, it is now officially confirmed that Dodik is no longer the RS President. His mandate was revoked because the Court of BiH’s final ruling prohibits him from political activity for six years.

The CEC has also scheduled early elections in RS, which Dodik had previously contested, stating that the SNSD party would not participate. However, his latest actions indicate that the party is likely to take part, as he has officially recognized that RS currently has no president. Whether this also signals that the previously threatened referendum—where Dodik claimed the people would decide his political future—will not take place remains to be seen.

Additionally, Pranjic signed the decree enacting the new Law on Police and Internal Affairs of RS, which is controversial due to the entity’s introduction of a reserve police force.