International community's High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt passed a decision on Thursday, imposing a solution towards unblocking of the government formation in Bosnia's Federation entity, three weeks after he discussed the matter with local politicians and issued, as he said, a "final call" to resolve the deadlock.

Addressing a press conference, Schmidt said his actions are not aimed either for or against any people or political party but that he was led by the principle of what is best for this country and all its citizens.

He stressed that no constituent people in the country is being attacked or disrespected with his decision.

“As you know 3 weeks ago we met and I issued a final call to all politicians to resolve the deadlock in government formation process, calling for swift government formation backed by parliamentary majorities. Now nearly seven months after the elections,” Schmidt said.

In these three weeks a lot has happened but nothing has fully changed, the High Representative stressed, reminding that he has received only one proposal for the government formation – the one of the Federation entity president, which was, according to him, in line with the Constitution.

“Aside from that there has been a lot of activity and discussion but not real progress towards the solution,” he noted, adding that what we have been witnessing is a political stalemate and not a struggle between the constituent peoples.

The will of the voters from the October elections must not be ignored, the high Representative said.

“That is what democracy is about, accepting the will of voters, and acting for the benefit of the state and citizens whether in government or the opposition,” he added.

In order to prevent such blockades from happening in the future, Schmidt has encouraged all parties to talk in good faith and find a permanent solution.

The High Representative's decision to unblock the appointment of the Federation entity Government shall be published in the Official Gazette without delay and it has come into force the moment it was published on the Office of the High Representative's official website.

Read the full decision:

Article 1

The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers of the Government of the Federation put forward by the President of the Federation of BiH in the proposed decision signed by her on 30 March 2023, agreed by one of the Vice-Presidents on 3 April 2023 and amended on 27 April 2024, are hereby deemed appointed in accordance with Article IV.B.5, Paragraph (1) of the Constitution of the Federation.

Each and every signature required to be made, agreement to be given, in particular by the Vice-Presidents of the Federation, and consultations to be held with a view to effecting the appointment of the Government of the Federation in accordance with Article IV.B.5, Paragraph (1) of the Constitution of the Federation are hereby deemed to have been made in proper and due form.

Article 2

The Government of the Federation shall be elected after its appoitnment is confirmed by a majority vote of the House of Representatives of the Federation of BiH in accordance with Article IV,B,5, Paragraph (1) of the Constitution of the Federation.

The Chair of the House of Representatives shall convene an urgent session to be held no later than 28 April 2023. The confirmation of the appointed Government shall be the only item on the agenda for this session.

Article 3

The Parliament of the Federation shall make its best efforts to initiate the process of amending to Article IV.B.5 of the Constitution of the Federation of BiH that could, if adopted pursuant to Article VIII.1 of the Constitution of the Federation of BiH, ensure that the relevant institutions in the Federation abide by their obligation to ensure that the Government of the Federation is elected.

The Amendment attached hereto, which forms an integral part of this decision, shall enter into force on 1 May 2024 provided that the Parliament of the Federation of BiH does not decide otherwise before that date by amending the Constitution of the Federation as provided by Paragraph 1 of this Article.

Notwithstanding Paragraph (2) of this Article, the Amendment attached hereto shall enter into force on the day the Legislature of the Federation or any House thereof is dissolved pursuant to Article IV.A.16 of the Constitution of the Federation if this dissolution occurs before the date provided for in Paragraph (2) of this Article.

Following its entry into force, the amendment attached hereto shall have precedence over any inconsistent provisions of laws, regulations and acts. No further normative act is required to ensure its legal effect. Nevertheless, authorities in the Federation of BiH remain under the obligation to harmonize such laws, regulations and acts with the Constitution of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Article 4

This decision shall be published without delay in the Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and on the Official website of the Office of the High Representative and shall enter into force forthwith while the Amendments to the Constitution of the Federation of BiH attached to this Decision shall enter into force as prescribed and under the conditions spelled out in Article 3 of this Decision.