Former US governor Rod Blagojevich joins RS Day parade in Banja Luka

The parade featured 1,931 participants from the civil sector across 38 organizations, alongside members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This event proceeded despite the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina twice declaring January 9 as unconstitutional and discriminatory.

During the hour-long ceremony, RS Interior Minister Zeljko Budimir addressed the crowd, stating that the past year was "extremely difficult for the RS" and claiming that its president had been "under attack." This year’s event was held under the slogan "Fatherland shall live."

The front row included high-ranking officials such as Acting RS President Ana Trisic-Babic, BiH Presidency member Zeljka Cvijanovic, RS National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandic, and RS Prime Minister Savo Minic. They were joined by Milorad Dodik, President of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), and Serbian Minister of Culture Nikola Selakovic. Danilo Vucic, son of the Serbian President, was also among the guests.

Blagojevich’s presence follows a series of activities held the previous day, where he was filmed singing "Tamo daleko" in a relaxed setting. His engagement as a lobbyist coincides with a significant shift in US policy; at the end of last year, the US administration under President Donald Trump lifted sanctions previously imposed on Milorad Dodik, his family, and other RS officials and entities.