Milorad Dodik

Milorad Dodik, born on March 12, 1959, is a prominent Bosnian Serb politician known for his significant influence in the political landscape of Republika Srpska. He served as the 8th President of Republika Srpska from 2022 until his removal from office in 2025, having previously held the same position from 2010 to 2018. His political career also includes a term as the 7th Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2018 to 2022.

Since the formation of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) in 1996, Dodik has been at the helm, guiding the party through various political challenges. His earlier years in politics were marked by a moderate and reformist approach, positioning both himself and the SNSD as alternatives to the ultranationalist Serb Democratic Party during the 1990s and early 2000s. However, over time, Dodik's stance has shifted towards a more Serbian nationalist and separatist ideology, advocating for the self-determination of Bosnian Serbs.

Dodik's tenure has not been without controversy. Critics have accused him of authoritarianism and undermining federal Bosnian institutions, while he has fostered closer ties with Russia and Serbia. His political journey took a significant turn in February 2025 when he was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for defying decisions made by the High Representative. This verdict was confirmed in August 2025, leading to the termination of his presidential mandate on June 12, 2025, a decision that was initially contested by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska but ultimately accepted in October 2025.