In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a political crisis in the Serb entity of Republika Srpska will likely result in a period of institutional paralysis and Western isolation. Alternatively, it could result in a stabilizing early election under domestic and external pressure or, in the most extreme case, a unilateral declaration of independence that triggers international sanctions and widespread instability. On Aug. 6, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Central Electoral Commission stripped Milorad Dodik of his position as president of Republika Srpska, one of the entities that make up the country. The commission's decision came after Bosnia and Herzegovina's appeal court confirmed on Aug. 1 an earlier court ruling sentencing Dodik to one year in prison and a six-year ban on political activity for knowingly ignoring decisions issued by the country's High Representative, Christian Schmidt, in 2023. While Dodik can appeal, if his removal is upheld, the Central Electoral Committee would have the power...
