Bosnia and Herzegovina parties demand end of High Representative mandate

Croatian parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the HDZ BiH, argue that the current Office of the High Representative (OHR) model no longer provides stability and call for the termination of the High Representative’s mandate. They say the three constitution‑making peoples should assume responsibility for the country’s decisions, while urging stronger U.S. support and continued EU engagement.

The parties note a split between the United States, which favours ending the OHR, and the European Union, which has been hesitant to appoint a new High Representative. Opposition forces are divided: the Bosniak party led by Denis Bećirović backs retaining the OHR’s broad powers, whereas the Serbian party of Milorad Dodik aligns more closely with the U.S. view. Parallel to this debate, the Domovinski pokret (DP) has pushed for a “Croatian electoral unit” in Bosnia and the possible restoration of the Herzeg‑Bosnia entity ahead of the October elections, copying HDZ’s political formula and seeking greater visibility for the Croat community.