Radovan Kovacevic, spokesperson for the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) and a delegate in the House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has emerged as one of the candidates for the position of Bosnia and Herzegovina's chief negotiator with the European Union.

This was confirmed by Zeljko Budimir, the Minister for Scientific-Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska (RS), and an advisor to RS President Milorad Dodik.

“Republika Srpska has capable individuals for the role of chief negotiator, and Radovan Kovacevic is one of them, fully capable of successfully fulfilling this responsibility,” Budimir stated in a podcast by the Srna agency.

Budimir emphasized that the negotiator should come from Republika Srpska, given the current ethnic distribution of high positions in the Council of Ministers: the chairperson is Croatian (Borjana Kristo), and the foreign minister is Bosniak (Elmedin Konakovic).

“The negotiator will lead the Republika Srpska team, ensuring that the EU integration process does not compromise RS's jurisdiction or position—a concern that political Sarajevo may exploit to weaken RS. Hence, the negotiator's role is crucial,” Budimir explained.

He expressed confidence in RS’s ability to find a qualified candidate for the role.

At a recent meeting in Banja Luka, governing coalition partners at the state level—SNSD, HDZ BiH, and Trojka—reached an agreement on several points, including the selection of the chief EU negotiator.

Milorad Dodik, RS President, stated that it was agreed that the chief negotiator, the chairperson of the Council of Ministers, and the foreign minister cannot belong to the same constituent group. This decision effectively reserves the negotiator position for a representative of the Serb people, a move SNSD has strongly advocated.

Media outlets in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina have speculated that Ana Trisic Babic, a long-time advisor to Dodik, is also being considered for the position.

The formal selection process for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s chief EU negotiator is expected to solidify in the coming weeks, marking a significant step in the country's EU accession process.