Louis Crishock appointed interim high representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Former high representative Christian Schmidt resigned in May 2026 after what he said was a clear signal from the United States that his mandate should end. The Peace Implementation Council (PIC) subsequently appointed U.S. diplomat Louis Crishock as acting high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the interim mandate running until 14 July 2026, the deadline for selecting a permanent successor.

Negotiations for a new high representative have stalled. The United States backed Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi, while several European states supported candidates such as French envoy René Troccaz, Danish diplomat Peter Sorensen, and Italian Maurizio Massari. The deadlock has sparked a diplomatic row between Washington and European capitals. The PIC reiterated that Crishock will ensure institutional continuity and legal certainty under the Dayton Agreement while the search for a permanent appointee continues.

Schmidt warned that his departure was meant to protect the Dayton peace framework from destabilising influences and emphasized the importance of the OHR in safeguarding Bosnia’s territorial integrity.