Serb opposition politician condemns presence of US lobbyist Rod Blagojevich at celebration in Banja Luka

Crnadak said that the marking of "the RS Day this year should be forgotten as soon as possible," adding that the next year's event must be historical.

Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared the date unconstitutional due to the discrimination of Bosniaks and Croats - other two constituent ethnic groups alongside Serbs, as the date is linked to a patron saint’s day and Orthodox religious rites, violating the principle of the constitutivity of peoples. Furthermore, a 2016 referendum that confirmed the date was also declared illegal. For many in Bosnia, this date symbolizes the beginning of ethnic cleansing and crimes against the non-Serb population.

However, despite the ban, the celebration has continued to this day.

Commenting on Blagojevich's presence in this year's event in Banja Luka, administrative centre of Republika Srpska, Crnadak said:

"It is a shame that a convicted criminal, with the basest impulses of greed and personal gain, is breaking our Slavic cake, that we present such a corrupt and hated person as a role model to the young people of Republika Srpska."

He also said it was a shame that the celebration did not include renowned scientists, international managers or top athletes, who represents the Serbs in the world but, instead, the people of Republika Srpska paid more for Blagojevich's attendance than famous regional pop star Zdravko Colic earns for New Year's Eve.

Blagojevich has strong ties with former Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, who was convicted to one year in prison and six-year political ban over defying of the decisions of the international peace envoy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, High Representative Christian Schmidt.

Blagojevich himself was convicted in a federal criminal trial for his role in the corruption scandal, and was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. President Donald Trump formally commuted his sentence in 2020, after Blagojevich had been imprisoned for nearly eight years, and fully pardoned him in 2025.